OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University blasted Manhattan Christian (Kan.) 116-75 on Friday afternoon at Abe Lemons Arena.
The Stars produced their highest scoring output under coach Vinay Patel. OCU, ranked fifth in NAIA Division I men's basketball, captured a season-opening win for the seventh consecutive year.
Elijah Christman, a senior from Justin, Texas, turned in a career performance with his first double-double and career bests in scoring (29 points), rebounding (10) and 3-pointers (seven) for OCU.
Joe Clarke, a senior from New Rochelle, N.Y., posted 25 points and six rebounds, and Anthony Davis, a junior from Lewisville, Texas, provided OCU with 17 points, six rebounds and two steals.
The Stars' Chris Williams, a senior from Denver, tallied 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Mark Howell, a senior from Grand Prairie, Texas, handed out a career-high 11 assists.
Oklahoma City's previous high point total since Patel arrived was 114 points, which the Stars scored twice before. The Stars notched 114 points last in a 114-108 double-overtime win at USAO on Feb. 1, 2018. OCU scored its most points since a 120-85 win over Mid-America Christian on Nov. 4, 2003 at Abe Lemons Arena.
OCU collected 14 3-pointers, 24 assists, 15 offensive rebounds, 11 steals and a 47-27 rebounding advantage. The Stars shot 57.1 percent from the field, including 63.2 percent in the first half.
Christman's sixth trey of the game put the Stars over the 100-point mark at 101-60 with 6:50 left.
Eric Wattree connected on a jump shot to give Oklahoma City its largest advantage of the tilt at 116-71 with 1:32 to go.
OCU takes to the road in a 7 p.m. contest Tuesday against Baker (Kan.) in Baldwin City, Kan.