OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University challenged Langston, ranked among the top five nationally, before coming up short 72-67 on Thursday at the Eagles Nest. 

The contest, which was the Sooner Athletic Conference game of the week, was tied with 3:50 remaining, and the Stars led by five with 14:25 left. Oklahoma City fell to 10-10, 8-6 in the SAC, while Langston, ranked third in the NAIA, improved to 20-1, 14-1 in league play. 

Avery Jackson converted on a breakaway layup off Kori Guest's steal to equal the score 61-61 at the 3:50 mark. A.J. Rainey downed a free throw, then James Ellis scored on a layup to put Langston ahead. Langston sank eight free throws in the final 1:36 to clinch the outcome. 

Jackson's transition bucket sliced Oklahoma City's deficit to 70-67 with 14 seconds left. D'Monte Brown answered with two free throws with 12 seconds to go. 

Parker Jones dunked to give the Stars a 46-41 advantage, OCU's largest lead of the night, with 14:25 showing. The showdown featured nine tie scores and six lead changes. Oklahoma City held advantages in rebounding (42-32), points in the paint (32-26) and bench points (23-7). The Stars led 30-28 at halftime. 

Jones, a sophomore from Russellville, Ky., studying business administration, boosted OCU with a season-best 15 points to go with eight rebounds while shooting 6-for-10 from the field.  

Brandon Jackson, a junior human performance major from Westmont, Calif., notched his fourth double-double this season with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Dravon Clayborn, a senior business administration major from Evanston, Ill., collected 12 points, seven assists and three steals for Oklahoma City.  

The Stars face Central Christian (Kan.) at 3:45 p.m. Saturday in McPherson, Kan.