WAXAHACHIE, Texas – The Oklahoma City University men's basketball team picked up its first conference loss of the season 76-73 to Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Saturday at the Sheaffer Center.
Lou Dunbar scored a career-high 32 points for the Stars. Oklahoma City, ranked fifth in NAIA Division I, fell to 12-2, 3-1 in Sooner Athletic Conference play, while SAGU moved to 12-3, 2-1 SAC.
OCU, which trailed by as many as 18 in the second half, cut the lead to three thanks to a layup by Syrus McDonald with 20 seconds left on the clock, but failed to get any closer.
"We are playing shorthanded right now, and everyone needs to step their play up a little bit," Stars head coach Vinay Patel said. "I was really proud of Lou Dunbar for stepping up tonight offensively. We will spend the next few days figuring out how to improve and hopefully bounce back and compete a little better this next week."
Dunbar, a junior from Seabrook, Texas, went 9-for-15 from the field while also providing five 3-pointers, three rebounds and three assists in the loss.
Southwestern Assemblies of God crashed the boards hard with a 46-39 advantage in rebounds, including a 19-11 advantage in offensive boards. OCU committed 16 turnovers, 11 of which were in the first half.
"They absolutely whipped us on the glass," Patel said. "Rebounding is an effort stat, and give SAGU credit for being tougher than us from the opening tip."
Xavier Smith, a senior from Richardson, Texas, delivered 14 points, six rebounds and one blocked shot.
SAGU was led by senior Keyunta Watkins, who provided the Lions with 20 points and three assists.
The Stars' next matchup will be 8 p.m. Thursday against Southwestern Christian at Abe Lemons Arena.