KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Oklahoma City suffered its first loss of the men's basketball season to Avila (Mo.) 77-74 on Monday at the Mabee Fieldhouse.

The Stars (7-1) were led by Nate Flowers, a senior from Waldorf, Md., with 26 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Flowers had help from Brandon Moton, a junior from Beaumont, Texas, who contributed 13 points, shooting 3-for-7 from the 3-point line.

The Stars led at the half 40-34, shooting 16-of-24 from the field and 3-for-6 from the free-throw line. OCU improved its free-throw percentage in the second half, shooting 11-of-13. Flowers also led in free throws, scoring a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.

OCU led by as much as 12 late into the second half until the Eagles took a one-point lead after a 13-2 run with 4:54 remaining. The Stars battled back to regain the lead 72-70 with 2:26 on the clock after a 3-pointer by Moton, but were not able to hold off the Eagles in the end.

Bryant Williams cut the Stars' deficit to 75-74 with a bucket at 22 seconds left. Quinton Branch gave Avila a 77-74 edge on free throws with 20 seconds remaining. OCU's Shane Rogers missed a 3-pointer as time ran out.

The Stars bench contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Johnny Stephene, a junior from Boynton Beach, Fla., also scored in double digits with 10 points and two assists.

OCU returns to Abe Lemons Arena to face Wayland Baptist (Texas) at 8 p.m. Thursday.