OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Men's Basketball team earned a 77-74 victory over Nelson on Thursday night as all five starters reach double-figures in scoring as the Stars begin 1-0 in conference play. 

TOP PERFORMERS
Clayton Jewell - 24 PTS, 11 REB, 11-15 FG
James Cloud - 13 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST
Yorgio Golesis - 12 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST
Brandon Wilson - 12 PTS, 7 REB, 2-5 3PT

STAR OF THE SHOW: Clayton Jewell had another monstrous night tabbing his fourth game in a row with double-digit rebounds while securing his third consecutive double-double after setting a career-high 24 points on 11 rebounds while shooting a magnificent 11-of-15 from the floor. 

STAT OF THE GAME: As a team, Oklahoma City set a season-high with 19 assists as Avery Jackson and Yorgio Golesis combine for 15.

FIRST HALF: James Cloud got the team off to a hot start with a three to open the game followed by a pair of dunks scoring nine of the OCU 16 points through the first five minutes and 15 seconds of play. Nelson came storming back with a 17-5 run that gave the Lions a four point lead as Noah Jonker knocked down a pair of threes while Trace Boling added one of his own. Nelson found its largest lead with 5:20 to play at 35-29 before the Stars were able to close out the half on a 12-5 run that was sparked by a block followed with a three on the ensuing possession by freshman Lawrence Taylor Jr. Follwing Taylor Jr was Clayton Jewell who scored the final seven points of the half for Oklahoma City helping cut the deficit to just one heading into the halftime break 

SECOND HALF: Nelson was able to stay on top through the first four minutes stretching its advantage to seven before the Stars came roaring back after an Avery Jackson three and a three-point play from Yorgio Golesis that gave Oklahoma City brought it back down to one. OCU was able to hold the Lions scoreless for the next five minutes as the Stars pushed their out to a 62-55 lead after Brandon Wilson threw down a ferocious slam after stealing the ball away on the defense end. Once again Nelson stayed right in it with after putting together a 10-0 run as 2023-24 NAIA All-American CJ Hall sank back-to-back triples that gave the Lions a 65-62 lead just under six minutes to play. Oklahoma City regained the lead one final time after Wilson knocked down another three while Jewell got loose below the rim placing in the easy layup off the feed from Golesis. Avery Jackson delivered one of the games biggest plays near the end of the contest converting the and-1 opportunity that put OCU up two possessions. The Stars closed out the night with a huge defensive stop that kept Nelson from sending the game to overtime as Oklahoma City secured a 77-74 victory in the conference opener. 

GAME NOTES

• #23 Oklahoma City maintains its unbeaten record moving to 5-0 while having its best start since 2017. 
• OCU had a strong night on the glass outrebounding the Lions 30-19 while having 10 second chance points 
• James Cloud helped the team get off to a hot start as the sophomore finished with a career-high 13 points to go along with four rebounds. 
• Yorgio Golesis flirted with a triple-double scoring 12 points while having nine rebounds and eight assists as both set new season-high's for the sophomore point guard. 
• Brandon Wilson came away as the only Star to have multiple threes as the newcomer from Los Angeles raked in 12 points on seven boards. 
• Avery Jackson dished out a season-high seven assists while scoring 12 points and going 6-of-7 from the line. Jackson has reached double-digits in scoring in all five games this season.
• Oklahoma City wins its second straight game over Nelson after winning an overtime battle last year inside Abe Lemons Arena. 
• Nelson remains in front in the all-time series leading OCU 14-10 dating back to 2014. 

NEXT TIME OUT: Oklahoma City will get one day of rest before going on the road to face UNT-Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 4:00 PM. 

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