OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University picked up its first away men's basketball win of the season against Mid-America Christian 91-81 on Thursday night at Gaulke Activity Center.

Ricardo De Bem, a senior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, led OCU with season highs of 22 points and 14 rebounds. Rodney Alexander added 21 points for the Stars, who are ranked 17th in NAIA Division I and 7-2, 2-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

OCU committed 22 turnovers. Defensively, the Stars led the game with 41 rebounds as well as forcing 16 turnovers.

The Stars shooting percentage improved in the second half to 57.7 percent up from 45.7 percent in the first half. On the game, the Stars shot 50.8 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line.

“It was our first road win, but it wasn't pretty,” said OCU coach Kevin Morrissey. “We had an opportunity to pull away, but didn't take care of basketball. We did distribute the ball well at times, and we shot free throws well.”

OCU overcame a 20-13 first half deficit. OCU went on an 11-3 run and took the lead on Jamarcus Ellis' bucket with 9:15 left in the first half. OCU's largest lead of 19 came on Ellis' 3 with 8:27 to go.

Corey Raney cut OCU's lead to 86-78 with 1:19 to go. DaVell Jackson and Ellis hit free throws down the stretch to help the Stars secure the win.

OCU plays Sterling (Kan.) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Abe Lemons Arena.

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