Gatkek, Allen, and Quezada Score 17 in Win Over OCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (12-4, 7-3 SAC) bounced back with a hard-fought 89-84 triumph against Oklahoma City University (4-12, 2-8 SAC). With the win, the Drovers have emerged victorious in seven of the last ten meetings against the Stars and USAO holds an 18-16 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to January of 2008.

USAO is now locked in a tie for third in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 3.0 games back of Langston University at the top. 

Thursday's wild showdown featured 12 ties and 16 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than nine points. The teams traded buckets in the opening minutes of the game and the score was knotted at 21-21 midway through the first half. USAO began to build a lead in the final minutes of the half and led by as many as nine, prior to taking a 42-36 lead into the break. 

Following halftime, the Stars immediately began to cut into the Drovers' lead and the score was tied at 59-59 with 9:47 remaining in the game. OCU held an 82-80 lead with 2:43 to go, but USAO was able to catch fire late and closed the game on a 9-2 run to claim victory. 

USAO's offense was stellar in the win and finished the game shooting 32-60 (.533) from the field, 5-16 (.313) from beyond the arc, and 20-23 (.870) from the free-throw line. In comparison, OCU shot 27-67 (.403) from the field, 7-22 (.318) from deep, and 23-28 (.821) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers outrebounded the Stars by a slim margin of 37-35, and they outscored OCU in the paint 36-30.

USAO committed only eight turnovers, which led to nine points for OCU. Meanwhile, the Stars fumbled the ball 10 times, resulting in 11 points for the Drovers. USAO was whistled for 21 fouls, and the Stars were called for 19 infractions.

The Drovers were led by a trio of 17-point performances from Manny Gatkek, Cade Allen, and Reggie Quezada. Gatkek was superb on both ends of the court, hauling in six rebounds knocked down seven of his eight free-throw attempts. Allen was nearly perfect shootings, going 5-6 from the field, 3-4 from deep, and 4-4 at the free-throw line. Quezada added four rebounds, and three assists.

Anthony Ray contributed 13 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and 5-6 from the charity stripe. Jaden Harrell and Tyler Cauley each tallied eight points and five rebounds. Harrell dished out four assists and Cauley distributed three helpers. 

Logan Dolan and Jaden Causwell each finished with three points, followed by Jayden Patcha with two and Niieihii BlackBear with one.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday, January 20 for a double-header on the road at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. The women's game is scheduled to tip-off at 2:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 3:45 PM. 

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