Oakland City, IN - After a season-opening victory, the Oakland City University men's basketball team dropped three straight as they hosted the Flames of Welch College looking to get back in the win column. The visitors from Nashville, Tennessee, brought a 1-2 mark into the contest. After a 10-point halftime advantage, the Oaks saw their 34-24 edge dissipate over the final minutes of the second half. Poor free throw shooting, a common theme among OCU's three losses, crept back into the Oakland City University score sheet, as the Oaks made 1-7 in the final ten minutes of regulation, sending the game to overtime tied at 68-68.
The Oaks rallied behind strong defense in the overtime period in which they allowed just two Welch points, winning by the final score of 79-70, to improve to 2-3 on the year. In the final ten minutes of the second half, OCU made a combined 4-11 from the field while turning the ball over 10 times. The Flames capitalized on their opportunity, making 10-18 from the field, including 5-8 from three point range, while committing just one turnover down the stretch. However, the Mighty Oaks held the Flames to 1-6 shooting in extra time, while forcing three turnovers to secure the victory.
DJ Redding led the way for the Oaks with 17 points, making 5-10 from the field to go with a 7-10 free throw tally.
Sam Muller had a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 boards, a total equaled by
Jack Wininger who came off the bench to post seven points and 16 rebounds of his own.
Hunter Johnson also reached double figures, scoring 14.
DJ Estes was the leading scorer for the Flames, coming off the bench to put up 17 points on 7-11 shooting, going 3-7 from beyond the arc. EJ Byrd added 12 counters, followed by the 10 point effort of Draven Smith. Tony Gaines led the Flames in rebounds with seven while also nabbing a game high three steals.
As a team, Oakland City shot 27-63 (42.9%) from the field, going 3-14 (21.4%) from three point range. The Flames connected on 28-72 (38.9%) of their shot attempts, making 6-20 (30.0%) from beyond the arc. OCU went 22-38 (57.9%) from the foul line compared to 8-16 (50.0%) for the visiting Welch College team.
Overall, OCU held a 61-31 rebounding advantage, including a 16-4 lead on the offensive glass. The Flames led in assists 11-10, while also committing 17 turnovers compared to 27 for the Mighty Oaks.
The Mighty Oaks will return to action when they travel to Kingsport, Tennessee, to participate in The Show, one of the premier NAIA basketball showcases in the nation. They will square off against Reinhardt University on Saturday, November 25, followed by a matchup against Webber International University on Sunday, November 26. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 10:00 am CST.
