PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team used a strong second half effort to defeat the SAGU American Indian College Warriors on Monday evening by a final of 100-78 in Phoenix.

With the victory Monday, the Spirit improve to 12-12 overall on the year. With the loss, the SAGU American Indian College Warriors fall to 6-19 overall.


 
It was a fast paced game between the Spirit and the Warriors. The teams combined for 20 points in the first five minutes. SAGU AIC entered the game with only seven players. The Warriors kept it close until the final minutes of the first half. From there on out, the Spirit were able to out-run and out-score the Warriors.
 
In the first half, OUAZ shot 48% from the field and 70% from the free-throw line. SAGU AIC finished the first 20 minutes of play shooting just 36% from the field and 50% from the free-throw line. At halftime, the Spirit led the Warriors 52-38.
 
OUAZ shot the ball even better in the second half, finishing 51% from the field and 40% from beyond the three-point arc. The Spirit limited SAGU AIC to 34% shooting from the field in the second half and outscored the Warriors 48-40.
 
In the victory, five players scored in double figures. Matthew McClain led the way with 23 points and 14 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting. Khalil Bailey finished with 14 points and a team high 16 rebounds. Tanner Riley chimed in with a team high six assists, and Dimetres Moore finished with 11 rebounds off of the bench.
 
The Spirit return to the court this Thursday, when they travel across The Valley to face Benedictine University at Mesa. Tip time is slated for 8pm.
 
   
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.