Cameron answers late OC rally, downs Eagles

 

November 12, 2017



WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 11, 2017) – Oklahoma Christian had all of the momentum, having closed a 14-point deficit to one with 2:47 left against Cameron. But Cameron had Johann Tate.

Tate scored 21 points and fueled a game-closing 11-1 run by the Aggies, allowing them to hold off OC for a closer-than-it-looked 80-69 win in the Heartland-Lone Star Challenge at Newman University's Fugate Gymnasium.

OC (0-2) left Wichita with two narrow losses – having also fallen on Friday in overtime to Texas A&M-Commerce – but coach Cory Cole didn't sound discouraged after the game Saturday.

"These guys are resilient," Cole said. "They never give up. We're going to play 40 minutes, no matter what the score. It's good to say those words and it's even better to see those guys doing that and buying in. I think that's a good piece of confidence, for our guys to just buy in and keep playing. We haven't reached our potential. We're not even close yet."

A 14-0 run by Cameron gave the Aggies a 21-10 lead eight minutes into the game, but OC closed to within 37-30 by halftime and 43-42 on a 3-pointer by Elijah Strickland with 15:12 left. The Aggies answered with three straight 3-pointers to rebuild their advantage.

Cameron (1-1) appeared to have the game well in hand after a three-point play by J.V. Long put the Aggies up 62-48 with 8:52 left and they still were up 14 at 67-53 with 6:42 left after Delano Jones' 3-pointer.

OC responded with a 15-2 run, capped by consecutive 3-pointers by freshman Sebastien Davet from the same spot on the right wing. The latter pulled the Eagles within 69-68 with 2:47 left, but it proved to be their final basket. The Eagles had their second straight subpar shooting game, finishing at 44.1 percent.

Tate answered with two free throws at the 2:24 mark and two more with 1:55 left. Elijah Strickland went 1-of-2 from the line with 1:44 left to pull OC within 73-69, but Tate hit a driving layup, and after an OC turnover, Tyus Momoh made two free throws with 1:13 left. Tyler Williams' 3-pointer with 29 seconds left sealed the win for the Aggies.

"We're still playing in spurts," Cole said. "We've still got different lineups out there that just haven't been glued like we need to be on the defensive or offensive end. But it's early. When you're playing a tough team, like Texas A&M-Commerce yesterday or Cameron, they're going to capitalize on your mistakes. Hats off to them. They made runs when we made our runs. That's why you want to play good teams early."

Jordan Box led OC with 14 points, while Strickland had 12, Davet had 10 and junior center Will Lienhard posted his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds (eight offensive), to go along with three blocked shots. The 6-foot-7 Lienhard – who wears uniform No. 25, the same as OC's career blocks leader, John Moon did for four seasons – has eight blocks through two games this season.

"I'm pleased with Will," Cole said. "He hasn't played in two years, so he's just now getting his groove back and his lungs back, but he can play. He does a lot of little things. He's got a high IQ and he's tough.

Jones scored 15 for Cameron, while Bryce Elie had 12 and Long had 10. Cameron shot 49 percent from the field and had only 12 turnovers, five fewer than the Eagles.

OC's home opener will be Tuesday night against cross-Edmond rival Central Oklahoma. Game time in the Eagles' Nest will be 7:30 p.m.

Cory Cole discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wYxfYwDXes&feature=youtu.be

 

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