MESA, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's basketball team played a close game all evening with the Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks on Thursday, before prevailing with the 92-86 victory.

With the victory Thursday, the Spirit improve to 13-12 overall on the year. With the loss, the Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks fall to 12-14 overall.
 
"It was really a tale of two halves from our perspective," said OUAZ head men's basketball coach Matt Keeley. "I was so disappointed in our effort and execution the first 20 minutes and I let them know exactly how I felt at halftime."
 
Keeley continued, "The second half still was far from perfect, but we competed and cared and did both together. The guys were excited and should be, because winning is difficult; especially on the road against a good team like BenU Mesa."
 
OUAZ struggled in the first half shooting, finishing at 35% from the field. The Spirit were able to keep the game close and trailed 40-37 at halftime.
 
In the second half, the Spirit came alive. OUAZ outscored the Redhawks 55-46, while shooting 60% from the field. BenU Mesa on the other hand shot 59% from the field, but attempted eight fewer shot attempts than the Spirit in the second half.
 
Four players finished in double figure scoring for OUAZ, led by Khalil Bailey's 22 points. Bailey finished with his second double-double of the week, after posting 10 rebounds along with his 22 points. Lucas Lenoir finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and a team high five assists, while Marcus Williams finished with 18 points and five rebounds.
 
The Spirit hit the road on Monday to face 9^th ranked Hope International University. Tip time from Fullerton, California is slated for 6pm Arizona time, 5pm PST.
   
 
 
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.