SHAWNEE - The Oklahoma Baptist men's basketball team will conclude their four game road trip this upcoming weekend in Arkansas as they take on Southern Arkansas on Thursday night followed by a Saturday afternoon match-up against Arkansas-Monticello.
Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday between the Bison and the Muleriders while Saturday's game between the Bison and Boll Weevils is set for 3 p.m., both following the women's games. The games will be on KGFF in Shawnee with Todd Miller and
James Hill.
OBU couldn't find an answer for the tandem of Jhonathan Dunn and Micah Speight in a 79-62 loss to Southern Nazarene in Bethany, but recovered nicely by rolling Northwestern Oklahoma State on the road, 86-68. The Bison moved to 11-5 overall and 6-4 in the GAC, sitting in a three-way tie for fourth.
The Bison got out to a quick lead against the Rangers with an offensive explosion in the first half, including a 27-6 run, as they led by as many as 26 at one point in the first half. The Bison did not turn the ball over in the first half and only had five total in the game. It was a huge win for OBU to earn a split on the weekend.
Jaquan Simms lead the way for OBU with 13.9 points per game as he shoots 46 percent from the field and behind the arc. Simms had another nice weekend as he scored 19 points against SNU and 18 points against Northwestern. He is also leading the team with 1.31 steals per game including three steals against the Rangers.
Rashad Lewis is second on the team with 11.3 points per game to go with a team leading 3.81 assists per game and also has 1.19 steals per game. Lewis saw his scoring numbers back on track as he scored 17 points to go with five assists against SNU before adding an efficient 10 point game against Northwestern which saw him running the offense beautifully against the Rangers.
Harrison Stoddart averages 11.1 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game and comes off a monster game against Northwestern where he led the way with 22 points on 7 of 11 shooting and four 3-pointers. He also added six boards and a steal in the contest. Stoddart also leads the team in blocks with 1.25 per game.
Brantly Thompson scored 10 in the win over the Rangers and averages 8.9 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field while
Dishon Lowery adds 8.4 points per game and a team leading 6.9 rebounds per game
Jarius Hicklen comes off a quiet week, but will continue to be a key role player at 7.8 points per game while
Mohammed Abubakar comes off a 10 point, five rebound game against the Rangers to average 6.8 points per game.
The Bison take on Southern Arkansas on Thursday, who have had their struggles thus far this season, coming in at 7-9 overall and 4-6 in the GAC. The Muleriders have won two in a row including wins over Arkansas-Monticello and Harding.
SAU is led by Devante Brooks who averages 14.4 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field to go with 8.6 rebounds per game. Aaron Lucas adds 13.8 point per game to go with 59 assists and 31 steals. Jalen Brooks pours in 11.4 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Following the matchup with SAU, OBU will head to Monticello to take on the Boll Weevils who have been reeling of late, losing four straight contests and falling to 11-6 overall and 5-5 in the GAC.
KJ Lesure leads an explosive Weevil offense that has six players who average double digit points with 17.6 points per game to go with 108 assists and 34 steals. Justin Slocum has 15.3 points per game to go with 7.3 rebounds per game while Marcus Gilbert averages 14.3 points per game and has 54 assists.
OBU sits two games back of first place in the GAC where Southeastern Oklahoma State stands alone, while Henderson State and Southern Nazarene are one game back in second.
