OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University toppled Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) 89-83 in overtime Thursday night at Abe Lemons Arena.
In the extra period, Ryan Birt, Rashaun Coleman and Dravon Clayborn struck for back-to-back-back 3-pointers to propel OCU. The Stars (12-10, 11-4 Sooner Athletic Conference) knocked down Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas), ranked ninth in NAIA men's basketball, for their first win over a ranked opponent since March 21, 2019.
Oklahoma City ousted sixth-ranked Stillman (Ala.) from the 2019 NAIA Division I Championship Tournament 101-84 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo., for its last win over a top-25 foe. OCU halted a 15-game losing skid to ranked teams.
The Stars had gone winless in four encounters with rated squads this season.
"This is a dream job," OCU coach Mark Berokoff said. "I'm a California guy from Los Angeles. I've been here now 10 years. All I heard about was OCU, OCU. We played OCU, and I always said in my mind, I really would love to be the head coach at OCU. We came into a situation where it wasn't easy. It wasn't easy to get the guys to do and buy in. They've bought in. I told them yesterday, some of you guys have gone through a lot of stuff. Now you're getting to play in the big game, and that's why the coaches who recruited you brought you here.
"I told them to enjoy it. It's fun to play in the big game. That's why I wanted to come here. OCU plays in big basketball games, and that was always my goal. It's happened faster than maybe I thought. I'm excited, but when you get a team that buys in, buys into the university, the mission and the stuff we're doing here, it's fun to coach that."
Clayborn found himself open looking straight upon the basket, then knocked in a trey to put OCU on top 85-80 with 2:06 to go in overtime. Birt added a pair of foul shots with 19 seconds remaining to give the Stars an 87-83 edge.
Late in regulation, Clayborn sank a jump shot from the top of the key with 39 seconds left to provide Oklahoma City a 76-74 advantage. Nykolas Mason answered with a bucket with 19 seconds showing to tie the game and send the contest to overtime.
The Stars overcame a 12-point deficit early in the second half. Birt cut into the Southwestern Assemblies of God lead with consecutive 3s quickly after halftime. Birt nailed a 3-pointer that supplied OCU with a 71-70 lead at the 2:40 mark of regulation.
OCU sank 18 3-pointers, including 13 in the second half and overtime. The Stars connected on their most long-distance attempts since setting the program single-game record with 19 3-pointers Jan. 19, 2019 in a 97-81 victory over Mid-America Christian at Abe Lemons Arena.
Birt, a senior from Plano, Texas, delivered a career-best 25 points and six 3-pointers to go with eight rebounds. Birt shot 6-for-7 from 3-point range. Coleman, a senior from Houston, rang up 24 points and four assists while tying his career high with six treys. He nailed 6 of 10 3-point tries.
OCU's Romario Spence, a senior from Luton, England, posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals for his ninth double-double of the season. Kori Guest, a junior from Tulsa, Okla., totaled 14 points while going 4-for-13 from beyond the arc. Clayborn, a senior from Evanston, Ill., dished out a season-best 10 assists.
The Stars meet North Texas Dallas at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.
