FORT WORTH, Texas – Oklahoma City University upended Texas Wesleyan 72-70 on Thursday at the Sid Richardson Center.
Chris Williams, a senior from Denver, powered the Stars with 22 points and five 3-pointers, which equaled the career high he set at Central Christian (Kan.) on Dec. 1. OCU moved to 9-6, 4-5 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, while Texas Wesleyan went to 8-10, 3-7 in the SAC.
Eric McCollum, a senior from Newburgh, N.Y., tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth career double-double, while Mark Howell, a senior from Grand Prairie, Texas, dished out a team-high three assists and snatched four steals for OCU.
Oklahoma City allowed Texas Wesleyan to shoot 46.2 percent from the field – including 50.0 percent in the second half. Joe Cook-Green made a layup that sliced OCU's advantage to 71-70 with nine seconds left. Trae Bryant knocked down a free throw with eight seconds showing for the final margin.
Eric Wattree provided OCU with a 3-pointer to give the Stars a 28-14 advantage with 7:11 remaining in the first half. The Stars had their biggest lead at that point.
Texas Wesleyan's Peyton Sallee started a 18-9 run at the 10:45 mark. Juwan Jones made two free throws to tie the game at 63 with 4:59 to go.
Bryant nailed a 3-pointer to boost the Stars' edge back to five at 71-66 at the 1:35 mark.
OCU shot 45.5 percent from the floor aided by shooting 46.7 percent in the first half.
Oklahoma City meets Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.