Men's Hoops Looks to Extend Division Lead Against ECU, SWOSU

SHAWNEE - The Oklahoma Baptist men's basketball team looks to extend its three-game lead in the GAC Western Division as the Bison welcome East Central to the Noble Complex before taking on Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford on Saturday.

Thursday's game will be on the Bison Sports Network on the OBU YouTube channel featuring Todd Miller on play-by-play and Scott Wanish on color commentary. The game will also be featured on the Bison Radio Network across the state of Oklahoma and worldwide on the iHeartRadio app. On Saturday, the OBU's contest will be on the Bison Radio Network with Miller and Wanish.

The Bison are winners of eight straight contests, including three wins throughout last weekend, defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State on the road by 10 last Thursday, running away from Southeastern Oklahoma State at home on Saturday, and erasing a 14-point deficit in the final six minutes on Monday to stun Southern Nazarene on the road.

They now take on the two teams chasing them in the standings as SWOSU sits three games back in second, while ECU is 3.5 games behind in third. The Bison inch closer to clinching a first round bye in the GAC Tournament and potentially the No. 1 seed at 9-3 overall and 9-2 in the GAC.

They also begin to see recognition for their excellent play, sitting in fifth in the latest D2SIDA Regional Rankings as well as receiving votes in the NBCA national rankings for the first time in the Division II era.

Defense continues to lead the Bison as they remain the top team in the GAC, as well as 13th in the country, in field goal percentage defense at 39.7 percent. The Bison lead the conference in numerous other categories including 20th in the country in defensive rebounds per game with 28.42 and 31st in the nation in total blocks with 43. OBU also does an excellent job of not fouling opponents, leading the GAC in personal fouls per game with only 15.3.

On the offensive end, the Bison have improved in many areas to sit in the top half of numerous categories. One of the most impressive is assists per game with 14.8 and assist turnover ratio with 1.14, both second in the GAC. The Bison have seen all their numbers go up into the top half of the GAC, especially turnovers, going from over 16 per game after four games to only 12.9 per game.

Jarius Hicklen leads the team with 15.4 points per game after returning to the lineup against Southeastern on Saturday. He was outstanding against SNU with 23 points including the game-tying 3-pointer and the go-ahead lay up late in the game. Harrison Stoddart adds 14.3 points per game and 6.9 rebounds, while Brantly Thompson pours in 13.4 points per game and just under four assists per game.

Stoddart was named GAC Player of the Week for his performance against Northwestern and Southeastern this past week.

Jaquan Simms averages 11.2 points per game and was also huge against the Crimson Storm on Monday, burying five 3-pointers. Simms seems to have broken out of a slump, going 13 of 24 in his last two contests.

Jordan Thompson adds 8.9 points per game off the bench while Nigel Wilcox adds 7.3 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game while sitting seventh in the nation in total blocks with 21.

Trey Green continues to be stalwart especially on the defensive end where he leads the team 14 steals including three against SNU while Justin Tene, Trace Boling, and Sayvon Milton continue to provide key minutes for OBU.

The Bison and Tigers have split their season series at one apiece with each earning a win on the road. East Central stunned OBU with a come-from-behind second half win inside Noble, 76-72, OBU's only loss at home this season.

The Bison returned the favor a few weeks back in Ada with a defensive masterpiece, defeating the Tigers 63-58. 

ECU sits at 6-6 overall and in conference and are led by Jalen Crutchfield with 15.7 points per game to go with 5.1 boards, while Tylor Arnold adds 14.8 points per game. Josh Apple scores 12.2 points per game and leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game.

OBU earned a pair of key victories over Southwestern Oklahoma State with a 74-72 win in Weatherford before pulling away from the Bulldogs for a 90-80 victory inside the Noble Complex. The Bulldogs sit at 6-5 overall and in conference.

The Dawgs' top scoring offense in the league is led by the supremely athletic Damion Thornton with 16.5 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per contest. Tauriwan Knight adds 15.5 points per game while Kamden Gipson adds 12.2 points per contest.

The Bison and Tigers tip-off time has been moved to 6 p.m.  Thursday due to inclement winter weather in the state of Oklahoma. OBU's contest with SWOSU is still scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday in Weatherford.