8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2
Abe Lemons Arena
THE MATCHUP: Oklahoma City University resumes its season against Sooner Athletic Conference rival Lubbock Christian (Texas).
Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 students and free to OCU students, faculty and staff with their ID.
ABOUT THE STARS: OCU dropped a 71-56 decision to Mid-America Christian on Dec. 12 in Oklahoma City. The Stars (3-3, 1-2 SAC) managed only 30.2 percent shooting from the field, 26.9 percent in the first half.
Chris Brown, a 6-foot senior from Spencer, Okla., led the Stars with 20 points. Brown tops OCU in scoring (20.0 points a game) and steals (1.83) and ranks second in the conference in scoring average.
Corey Bingham, a 6-3 junior from Lynn, Mass., notched 11 points and three steals on Dec. 12. Bingham records 12.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists a game. Bryant Williams, a 6-9 junior from Austin, Texas, contributed seven points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Williams ranks fifth nationally with 3.17 blocks a game as the Stars are second as a team in the NAIA with 6.17 rejections a contest.
Jerome Phillips, a 6-5 senior from Chickasha, Okla., leads OCU with 7.0 rebounds a game while also averaging 11.0 points and 2.2 assists.
In the preseason, the Stars have been picked to finish sixth in the Sooner Athletic Conference. OCU has captured the SAC regular-season crown 13 times. OCU received votes in the last NAIA Division I rankings.
OCU has a 29-8 lead in the overall series against Lubbock Christian. Lubbock Christian ended OCU's 2008-09 season by defeating the Stars 71-69 in the SAC Tournament on March 3 in Lubbock, Texas.
ABOUT THE CHAPARRALS: Lubbock Christian edged York (Neb.) 89-84 on Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock Christian (8-2, 3-1 SAC) overcame a 75-73 deficit with around six minutes to go.
Kenny Hewitt, a 6-7 junior, registered his career high with 34 points. Hewitt leads Lubbock Christian with 17.8 points while grabbing 5.4 rebounds and 1.40 steals a contest. Benoit Bekono, a 6-7 junior, added 16 points and three steals against York. Douglas Williams, a 6-4 sophomore, tallies 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game.
Lubbock Christian was expected to finish eighth in the SAC in the preseason by conference coaches.
ABOUT THE COACHES: Kevin Morrissey enters his first full season as OCU head coach. Morrissey spent the previous four seasons as St. Gregory's coach. He also has been an assistant at Missouri State and Texas-Pan American. Morrissey played his college ball at Oklahoma Baptist and Oral Roberts and high school at Bishop McGuinness in Oklahoma City.
John Copeland is in his 30th season as Lubbock Christian coach. Copeland has led the Chaparrals to three national-tournament appearances, guiding Lubbock Christian to the NAIA quarterfinals in 2001. Copeland has a head-coaching record of 446-400.
FOLLOW THE STARS: Fans can keep up on the latest on OCU athletics through several ways.
Become a fan of the Oklahoma City University Stars on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com/ocustars.
Become a follower of the OCU Stars on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ocustars.
Check out video of the Stars in action at www.youtube.com/oklahomacityuniver.
Listen to past game broadcasts and pregame and postgame interviews on the OCU pod center by clicking here.
Know when the game is happening and get scores and highlights following by calling the OCU athletics hotline at (405) 208-5400. Get conference scores and highlights by calling the SAC Hotline at (405) 878-2110.
BUY SEASON TICKETS: To purchase OCU season tickets, click here.
ON THE AIR: The game will be broadcast via the OCU athletics web site. Andrew Himes will have the call. Click here to listen to the broadcast, here for the live stats and here for the video stream. To purchase the live video, click on the OCU vs. Lubbock Christian package and either sign up for an all new subscription or sign in with your existing user name and password.
