LUBBOCK, Texas – Oklahoma City University survived with a 79-76 win over Lubbock Christian (Texas) on Saturday at the Rip Griffin Center.

Chris Brown's free throws with 10 seconds left clinched the result for OCU, ranked 14th in NAIA Division I men's basketball. The Stars ended the regular season 17-8, 15-7 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

OCU secured the third seed in the SAC Tournament on March 4-6 in Bethany, Okla. The Stars hold the head-to-head advantage over Oklahoma Christian should the two tie for third place in the conference standings.

Brown, a senior from Spencer, Okla., poured in 22 points, knocking in 9 of 12 shots from the floor for the Stars. Jeremy McCarty, a junior from Houston, had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for his first double-double for OCU.

Kavon Lytch supplied the Stars 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Jerome Phillips chipped in 11 points and two steals.

Lubbock Christian rallied from 16 points down to cut OCU's lead to 77-76 with 16 seconds remaining. Kenny Hewitt hit a layup with 29 seconds left, then Brown connected on two free throws for the final margin.

Al Graham's basket provided OCU with a 50-34 advantage with 17:28 left in the contest.

Lubbock Christian chipped away at the Stars' lead, then used a 9-2 run to cut the margin to 72-69 with 3:34 left.

OCU's Bryant Williams answered with a lay-in. Brown's 3-point play increased the Stars' edge to 77-72 with 1:20 remaining.

The Stars shot 57.4 percent from the field, 64 percent in the first half. OCU had a 38-25 advantage in rebounding and a 33-13 edge in bench points.

OCU will challenge for its ninth SAC Tournament title next week at Southern Nazarene's Sawyer Center.
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