OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University’s men’s basketball team defeated Sterling (Kan.) 82-64 on Tuesday night at Abe Lemons Arena.
Rodney Alexander, a senior from Benton Harbor, Mich., led the Stars’ offense with 30 points in the game. Jamarcus Ellis, a senior from Chicago, followed behind Alexander with 19 points and seven assists.
OCU went on a 15-0 first-half run that was started by dunk from Marlon Jones at 18:01 and was assisted by Ellis. The Stars went up 19-2 at that point.
The Stars, who are ranked 17th in NAIA Division I, improved to 8-2.
The Stars defense forced 13 turnovers and collected 44 rebounds, 18 of those offensive boards.
“At halftime I asked them to come out strong, and they did,” said OCU coach Kevin Morrissey. “We weren't comfortable though. Their zone slowed us down after we had scored well against their man. We don't have as many options we would like to.”
Ricardo Lovelace, a junior from Philadelphia, posted nine rebounds for the Stars as well as three assists. Jonathan Woods, Sterling’s leading scorer, only had five points. Sterling shot 40 percent from the floor.
Sterling only had one double-figure scorer.
“Ricardo Lovelace does a good job with his ability,” Morrissey said. “He uses his mind well and works for defensive position. We did a great job defending their leading scorer Jonathan Woods. Our guys were a little bigger, and he had turnovers.”
In the second half the Stars’ shooting percentage improved to 50 percent from the field and gained their largest lead of 26 with 7:02 left in the game with a 3-pointer from Alexander.
The Stars will resume play on Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. at Abe Lemons Arena against Harris-Stowe (Mo.).
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