SURPRISE, Ariz. – Knowing they only had the role of spoiler to play entering the final two games of the season, the OUAZ men's basketball team embraced the position and upset No. 16 Menlo 97-84 on Thursday night in Faith Arena.
 
It didn't start so promising for OUAZ (10-17, 5-12 GSAC) as they found themselves trailing 29-17 just over 12 minutes into the game. Menlo (18-8, 12-5) had opened the game hitting 12 of their first 24 shots while holding the Spirit to 7 of 23.
 
OUAZ turned things around with a 27-16 run to close the half and enter intermission down 45-44. They then made 10 of their first 12 shots in the second half to ignite a 25-13 run to put the team up 69-58 with 10:16 to play.
 
Menlo wouldn't go away and the Oaks got the Spirit lead down to 75-73 with 4:47 to play before Dimetres Moore hit a three from the wing on the next possession and the game wasn't in jeopardy the rest of the night.
 
Moore scored a game-high 31 points to record his fifth 30-point outing of the season. He made 12 of his 21 shots including five 3-pointers. His night also included two rebounds and two assists.
 
After the slow start shooting, OUAZ bounced back to shoot 72 percent in the second half and end the game making 52.4 percent from the field. The Spirit made 11 threes – their most in a GSAC game this season – while shooting 44.0 percent from deep.
 
Brian Carey added 22 points, nine assists, and three steals. Elijah Simmons finished with 17 points and Shazier Lawson posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Menlo was held to 43.1 percent shooting and just 6 of 26 from beyond the arc. The Oaks used 16 offensive rebounds for a 40-37 advantage on the boards. The Spirit had 20 assists and just 13 turnovers while scoring 17 points from 14 Menlo turnovers.
 
Ross Williams and John Paine led Menlo with 20 points apiece.
 
OUAZ will close the season on Saturday when they host William Jessup at 2 p.m. in Faith Arena. The team will honor its seniors in prior to tipoff.