Posted: Feb 04, 2011
MCAC Standings
Season Statistics
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- The sixth-ranked Bellevue University men's basketball team raced out to a 15-point lead early in the first half but could not sustain the momentum as No. 8-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan stormed back for an 83-74 MCAC victory Friday night. The loss dropped the Bruins into a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings.
Bellevue fell to 19-5 on the season and 6-2 in the MCAC. Oklahoma Wesleyan improved to 21-3 overall and 6-2 in league play. The two teams are now tied with Central Christian (18-4, 6-2) for the league lead.
The Bruins were led by senior Eugene Bain, who recorded his team-leading ninth double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Jeremy Cruise added 14 points while nailing four 3-pointers. Ben Imig registered 11 points and a pair of assists. Avery Tyler was the fourth Bruin in double figures with 10 points.
All-American Sadiel Rojas led the Eagles with 33 points and 10 rebounds. The Bruins held Rojas to a season-low seven points in last Friday's 69-56 victory over OWU in Bellevue. Murray Shaw added 13 points and eight rebounds. Dominique Rambo chipped in with 12 points and four assists for the Eagles.
Bellevue was plagued by foul trouble, as three Bruins, Bain, Tyler, and Jelani Johnson, all fouled out. BU was whistled for 30 fouls in the contest.
Jeremy Arrington's 3-pointer forced the Eagles first timeout as the Bruins built a 17-5 lead in the first four minutes of the game. A 3-pointer by James Parrott extended the lead to 20-5 at the 14 minute mark.
The Eagles, however responded with a 17-point run over the next five minutes to take their first lead at 22-20. After the Bruins countered with a 9-2 spurt to take a five-point lead, OWU closed the half on a 22-6 run to build a 46-35 advantage at the break.
After the Eagles extended lead to 50-35 early in the second half, Bellevue scored five-straight points on a 3-pointer from Cruise and a pair of free throws by Bain to pull to within 10 points (50-40) at the 15-minute mark.
Two three-point plays by Tyler sparked a 10-point run to pull BU to within five points (63-58) with 5:15 remaining in the game. That was as close as the Bruins would get as the Eagles nailed seven free throws in the final minute to seal the 83-74 victory.
The Bruins will continue their Oklahoma road trip with a 5 p.m. game tomorrow night at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Okla.
