OBU Athletics
Jordan Beech, Athletics Communications
SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist University kept its spot atop the Great American Conference men’s basketball standings with an exciting 89-77 victory over visiting Henderson State. The win upped OBU’s record to 6-5 overall and 4-1 in the league standings. OBU is tied with Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Nazarene for the GAC top spot. Henderson State fell to 8-4 and 3-3 overall.
The Bison remain at home for their next game when they host Ouachita Baptist Saturday, Jan. 5 at 3 p.m. “Buy-one, get-One” tickets will be available for purchase as part of the OBU’s month-long “Fanuary” fan-appreciation campaign.
Brantly Thompson scored 20 and Dishon Lowery added 19 as the Bison scored the most points in any of their previous five GAC games. Antonio Wade scored 14 points and Harrison Stoddart added 13 to complete the double-figure scoring.
OBU ended the game with advantages both in shooting percentage and rebounding. The Bison were 30-of-63 for 47.6 percent while making 10 3-pointers. HSU managed just 43.2 percent on 32-of-74 shooting from the field.
The Bison finished with a 43-35 rebounding edge. Stoddart and Lowery each had eight to lead the Bison.
OBU carried a double-digit lead for much of the second half. The Bison led by as many as 18 points after Julian Daughtry made a 3-pointer to give OBU a 70-51 lead with 9:58 remaining. Henderson did get within 10 points on two different occasions but each time OBU answered with layups from Antonio Wade to stop the run.
OBU closed the first half in strong fashion led by Thompson who scored eight points in a two-minute span including back-to-back 3-pointers. The Bison wiped away a 32-27 Henderson lead and pulled in front to take a 32-27 lead at the halftime break.