OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University rallied past Central Christian (Kan.) 79-69 on Thursday night at Abe Lemons Arena.
Chris Williams buried a 3-pointer to put the Stars on top for good with 1:35 remaining. Oklahoma City went to 11-6, 6-5 in Sooner Athletic Conference basketball with its third consecutive win.
Elijah Christman, a senior from Justin, Texas, propelled OCU with 18 points and five rebounds while sinking all six of his field-goal tries and each of his four 3-point attempts. Williams, a senior from Denver, posted 17 points, shooting 4-for-5 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Eric Wattree, a junior from Port Orchard, Wash., pitched in 12 points and 3-for-3 shooting from beyond the arc, and Mark Howell, a senior from Grand Prairie, Texas, produced 11 points and eight assists for the Stars.
OCU shot a season-best 63.2 percent from 3-point range, canning 12 of 19 3-pointers. In the second half, the Stars hit 14 of their 21 field-goal attempts for 66.7 percent shooting while holding Central Christian to 38.5 percent shooting from the field.
The Stars erased a 38-28 halftime deficit. OCU outscored Central Christian 51-31 in the second period.
"Not a day off in the SAC," OCU coach Vinay Patel said. "We talked about effort at halftime. If we play with maximum effort, we will give ourselves a chance."
To start the second half, Oklahoma City downed back-to-back-to-back treys. Howell, Wattree and Williams dropped in 3s.
OCU's Joe Clarke pocketed a steal, then dunked to tie the game 53-53 with 8:28 remaining. Christman drove for a lay-in to give the Stars their first lead of the second half 55-53 at the 7:47 mark.
Steve Kuminga had free throws to even the score 69-69 with 1:47 showing. Williams responded by nailing his trey to ignite a game-ending 10-0 OCU run.
"Chris came out of halftime with energy," Patel said. "He hit huge shot after huge shot. Elijah's figured out some things. We put a little action in to get him some shots."
Oklahoma City takes to the road for a 4 p.m. contest Saturday at Langston in Langston, Okla.