OKLAHOMA CITY – Southern Nazarene prevailed 71-60 over OCU on Thursday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Dee Proby, a senior from Round Rock, Texas, topped the Stars with 14 points, while A.J. Thomas led Southern Nazarene, ranked 14th in NAIA Division I men’s basketball, with 21 points. OCU went to 11-6, 4-5 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, while SNU improved to 13-3, 6-2.
Orlan Jackman supplied OCU with 10 points and four rebounds in his Stars debut, while Johnny Stephene added 10 points. Nate Flowers grabbed 10 rebounds for the Stars, but Southern Nazarene had the overall advantage in rebounding 32-26.
“We didn’t have much defensive intensity,” OCU coach Kevin Morrissey said. “We weren’t tough on the glass. We didn’t execute offensively. We had guys not on the same page.”
Thomas sank 7 of 10 from the field and 4 of 7 on 3-pointers.
“A.J. Thomas was tough tonight,” Morrissey said. “He hit big 3s. I thought we would be more effective against him. He was very good tonight.”
Southern Nazarene hit 22 of 33 free throws, while OCU sank 13 of 21 free throws.
“That’s part of their ability to get to the free-throw line,” Morrissey said. “We settled too often for jump shots.”
Proby’s layup cut Southern Nazarene’s lead to 47-46 with 13:09 left in the game. Proby followed Brandon Moton’s 3-pointer that sliced the Stars’ deficit to 47-44.
Southern Nazarene answered with the game’s next five points. Thomas had a free throw, then C.J. Henry added a free throw. Thomas converted a 3-point play to put Southern Nazarene ahead 52-46 at the 11:29 mark.
Jackman dropped in a free throw to cut OCU’s deficit to 57-51 with 7:09 left in the game. Thomas and Jon West sandwiched 3-pointers around Proby’s jumper to provide Southern Nazarene a 63-53 advantage at 5:38 showing.
Morrissey said the Stars must continue fighting.
“We could pout, but we have another challenge Saturday at USAO,” Morrissey said.
OCU faces USAO at 8 p.m. Saturday in Chickasha, Okla.
Leave a Reply