OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University held off Southwestern Oklahoma State 84-82 on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Ridell Camidge, a senior from Wilmington, N.C., fueled OCU with 29 points, eight rebounds and seven 3-pointers. The Stars, ranked 12th in NAIA Division I men's basketball, improved to 3-0.
In the final minute, Ivan Saicic knocked down a free throw, and Camidge sank three shots from the free-throw line to keep Southwestern at bay.
Southwestern managed 41.2 percent from the field. Southwestern shot 32.4 percent in the first half, but hit 51.6 percent from the floor in the second period.
"We did well defensively in the first half," OCU coach Vinay Patel said. "I thought we started getting a little tired in the second half. That's part of playing three games in one week."
Terence Bonhomme, a senior from St. Martinville, La., posted 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and five treys. Samuel Williams, a senior from Reno, Nev., added 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. OCU canned 13 of 22 3-pointers as Camidge hit 7 of 10 from 3-point range, and Bonhomme nailed 5 of 9 3-point shots.
The Stars shot 49.1 percent from the field and 56 percent in the second half.
"I'm excited," Patel said. "We finally found our 3-point shot. We've been struggling the first couple of games. It's good to see Terence and Ridell going from the perimeter."
Bonhomme nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Stars ahead 77-61 with 4:45 remaining for his team's largest lead of the game. Southwestern climbed back into the game with a 7-0 run. Devin Pugh's free throws cut the Bulldogs' deficit to 79-74 with 1:45 left.
Jerry Hurt hit a trey with 50 seconds left to cut OCU's lead to 80-77, then Hurt added free throws to slice the Stars' edge to 81-79 with 21 seconds showing. Southwestern failed to get any closer.
Southwestern last led 29-28 with 2:19 to go in the first half on Daniel Eibel's free throws. Camidge connected on two 3s and a 3-point play to put OCU on top.
Camidge opened the second period by dropping in three 3-pointers plus assisting on Williams' dunk in transition.
The Stars face Northern New Mexico at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Mid-America Christian Classic at the Gaulke Activity Center in Oklahoma City.