BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Oklahoma Baptist's basketball season lives on as the Bison emerged victorious in a hard-fought 73-66 win over East Central in the first round of the Great American Conference tournament. The win was OBU's first NCAA Division II postseason victory.
Brantly Thompson scored 23 and
Antonio Wade added 17 as the third-seeded Bison advanced to the semifinals where they will meet No. 2 seed Southeastern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. inside Bruin Fieldhouse in Bartlesville.
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OBU, now 16-13 on the year, led from start to finish. The Bison built a lead as big as 16 points when
Tyler Lester sunk a three-pointer to go up 32-16 with 4:38 in the first half. The Bison entered the break with a 37-28 lead.
OBU maintained a healthy cushion before ECU began chipping away. The Tigers got within two points after a three-pointer by Camron Tally cut OBU's lead to 62-60 with 4:01 to play.
Thompson and Wade combined to score the next 11 points. Thompson hit a crucial three-pointer while Wade added a pair of baskets on two acrobatic drives to the basket.
Thompson's two free throws with 53 seconds gave OBU a 71-60 lead before coach
Jason Eaker emptied his bench before the final horn.
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