SHAWNEE – No. 19 (NABC) Oklahoma Baptist remained unbeaten on the season with a strong 69–48 win over Emporia State on Friday afternoon inside the Noble Complex. Powered by a balanced offensive attack and a dominant defensive performance, the Bison improved to 5–0 while holding the Hornets to just 27 percent shooting from the field.
OBU set the tone early, overcoming an initial 7–3 deficit with a commanding 22–8 run midway through the first stanza.
Erik Madrid provided a spark, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor on his way to 13 points. His activity around the rim and timely finishes helped the Bison build a 39–25 halftime advantage.
Terry Coner Jr. fueled OBU's perimeter scoring, posting 13 points with a pair of threes while adding four assists and a steal.
Seth Grandberry added 11 points and seven rebounds, hitting three shots from deep as the Bison connected on eight total three-pointers for the game.
Joshua Udoumoh chipped in nine points, including a key stretch in the second half that pushed the lead beyond 20.
Defensively, the Bison, powered by their quick set of guards, forced Emporia State into tough looks all afternoon. The Hornets hit just six of 29 attempts (20.7) from beyond the arc and were limited to 16 points in the paint. Andrew Pengel led ESU with 12 points, while Justin Mack also reached double figures with 12 off the bench.
The Bison's defense continued to clamp down after halftime, allowing only 23 points in the final 20 minutes and generating 11 steals while converting 27 points off turnovers. In fact, the Hornets scored a mere three points more than eight minutes into the second half. OBU also dominated inside, outscoring the Hornets 40–16 in the paint.
With the win, Oklahoma Baptist will set its sights on Newman (3-2). The Bison and Jets will play on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Shawnee.
