Thursday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (6-4, 4-1 SAC) earned their SIXTH consecutive victory against their rival, with a 96-84 performance at Mid-America Christian University (3-7, 1-4 SAC). The Drovers are 6-0 against the Evangels, dating back to January 7, 2021. Additionally, the Drovers pulled the all-time series even with the victory, with both teams having 17 wins in the 34 matchups.
The Drovers got off to a terrific start, holding a 16-8 lead five minutes into the game. However, MACU began to chip away at the lead and cut the deficit to 18-16 midway through the half. USAO was able to regain momentum and took a 42-37 lead into the break.
Following halftime, the Evangels were able to pull the score even at 44-44, but the Drovers went on a run and stretched their lead to 61-53 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. USAO continued to shoot the lights out in the final minutes to wrap up the rivalry win.
As a team, the Drovers shot 35-63 (.556) from the field, and 12-27 (.444) from three-point range. In comparison, the Evangels shot 31-64 (.484) from the field, and 8-23 (.348) from deep. MACU held a narrow advantage in the rebounding battle, by a margin of 40-36, and both teams committed 11 turnovers.
USAO was whistled for 21 fouls and MACU was called on 20 infractions. The Evangels went 14-24 (.583) from the free-throw line, while USAO went 14-21 (.667) from the charity stripe.
For the third game in a row, Samkelo Cele (SR/Durban, South Africa) scored at least 27 points to lead the Drovers in scoring. Cele finished with 31 points on 12-16 shooting from the field. This season, Cele is averaging 20.1 points per game, which ranks third in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA) contributed his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Makuntae shot 7-13 from the field, including 3-6 from beyond the arc.
Cejay Mann (SO/Alma, AR) continued to impress with 17 points on 6-12 shooting from the field, and he also dished out three assists.
Dallen Forsythe (SO/Dale, OK) scored a career high of 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Forsythe finished 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from deep. Prior to Thursday's contest, Forsythe had only scored 11 points in six games played.
Langston Gaither (SR/Alexandria, VA) was only three rebounds shy of a triple-double, closing with 10 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists.
Logan Dolan (SO/Broken Arrow, OK) added five points, followed by Cade Allen (SO/Hammon, OK) with three.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up