OKLAHOMA CITY – The OUAZ men's basketball team took part in Day 1 of the Abe Lemons Classic, taking on host Oklahoma City University on Thursday night. After falling behind nine at the half, the Spirit came all the way back to take the lead, but relinquished it over the final two-and-a-half minutes in an 85-80 defeat.

OUAZ trailed by as many as 12 in the second half, but finally took the lead on a Gelo Gil three-pointer with 5:16 to go. The Spirit would build a six-point lead with 2:37 to go, but would add only three more points to its total while OCU stormed back to steal a victory.

The new-look OUAZ squad showed its defensive intensity once again, forcing 21 turnovers and scoring 25 points off of those Stars miscues. The Spirit also got 20 points from its bench compared to OCU's 12, plus outscored the Stars in the paint 20-12.

Zeke Viuhkola made seven field goals, and was five of eight on his three-point shots as he led OUAZ with 19 points. Jack Galiardi was efficient from the field as well, shooting at a 55% clip and adding 15 points.

Galiardi led the team in rebounds, pulling in eight as the Spirit had 10 different players pull in a board. Gelo Gil added 12 points to go along with six assists, three steals and two blocks.

OUAZ will get back on the court right away, taking on Southwest Christian on Friday afternoon. Tipoff in OKC is set for 1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. AZT.