OKLAHOMA CITY – Terence Bonhomme's putback as time expired provided Oklahoma City University with the winning points in a 65-64 victory over Haskell (Kan.) on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Bonhomme, a junior from St. Martinville, La., topped OCU with 18 points. The Stars, ranked 18th in NAIA Division I men's basketball, improved to 3-0.
Trailing 64-63 with 13 seconds left, Bonhomme took the inbounds pass, then drove the lane to take a layup. Bonhomme missed, but his teammate Tyler Alderman tried to tip the ball in. Alderman's putback failed to go in, but Bonhomme collected the miss and guided the ball into the hoop for the winning basket as time ran out.
Haskell fell 105-100 to top-ranked Mid-America Christian in double overtime Friday in Oklahoma City.
"They came in here and took us down to the wire as well," OCU coach Vinay Patel said. "I thought they outplayed us. They played harder than us. They got to the basketball quicker than us. We escaped with the win, and I have no earthly idea how, but I give their team a ton of credit."
Lou Dunbar, a junior from Seabrook, Texas, added 13 points, while Xavier Smith, a senior from Richardson, Texas, picked up nine points and seven rebounds for the Stars. Brandon Patten, a junior from Orange Park, Fla., contributed nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots.
Bonhomme nailed a trey to cap a 7-0 OCU run and put the Stars ahead 57-46 with 6:42 left. Haskell whittled away at OCU's advantage before Bryon Elledge tied the game 63-63 with free throws at the 39-second mark. Elledge added another free throw to put Haskell in front 64-63 with 13 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma City meets Langston at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Abe Lemons Arena.