Allen Scores 27 as Drovers Win on the Road at OCU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-16, 8-14 SAC) battled their way to an 89-77 victory on the road at Oklahoma City University (10-16, 6-16 SAC). The Drovers improve to 20-17 against the Stars since the 2007-08 season. 

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Drovers sit in a tie for ninth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the conference tournament, and the top four seeded teams will host the first round, prior to the tournament being moved to Langston University for the semifinals and finals. 

After trailing 5-0 in the opening minutes, USAO used a 9-3 run to claim a 9-8 lead five minutes into the game. The score remained tight with the Drovers holding a 16-15 advantage midway through the first half. USAO dominated the final minutes of the half and took a 48-34 lead into halftime. 

In the first half, three different Drovers scored in double figures, led by Mohand Ammad's 16 points. Ryein Kennedy scored 12 points, followed by Cade Allen with 10.

Following the break, OCU opened on a 9-2 run to trim USAO's lead to 50-43 less than five minutes into the half. The Drovers continued to hold off the Stars and controlled a 63-54 lead with 10 minutes to play in regulation. USAO held strong down the stretch to claim the 12-point win. 

USAO's offense closed the game shooting 32-60 (.533) from the field, 11-22 (.500) from beyond the arc, and 14-15 (.933) from the free-throw line. In comparison, Oklahoma City shot 28-68 (.412) from the field, 9-24 (.375) from deep, and 12-14 (.857) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers scored 32 points in the paint and hauled in 37 rebounds. In comparison, the Stars scored 20 points in the paint and grabbed 31 rebounds. 

USAO committed 17 turnovers, which led to 13 points for OCU. Meanwhile, the Stars fumbled the ball 12 times, resulting in 20 points for the Drovers. Both teams were whistled for 14 fouls.

Cade Allen concluded with a season-high of 27 points on 9-15 shooting from the field, including 5-8 from deep. Over the last four games, Allen is averaging 18 points per game. 

Ryein Kennedy finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, while Ammad added 19 points and five rebounds.

Lendy Holmes contributed nine points and four rebounds. 

Jaden Harrell scored five points, dished out five assists, and stole the ball twice on defense. He currently leads the Sooner Athletic Conference with 5.4 assists per game, which also ranked ninth nationally. 

Manny Gatkek scored four points, followed by Zach Hays with three, and Tatum Ridge and Tre Edwards with two points each. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now travel to Central Christian College on Thursday, February 20 in McPherson, Kan. The women's game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 7:45 PM CT.

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