Braves show growth with Friday-night win

Step by step, the Ottawa University men’s basketball team is growing.

The Braves showed improvement in many areas Friday night in their 91-71 victory over Baker at Wilson Field House. It was the first game of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and Heart of America Conference Classic.

“I saw progress,” Ottawa coach Andy Carrier said. “We are getting better. We still have a lot of things to work on.”

Ottawa looked much smoother with the new players meshing with the veterans.

The Braves’ defense held Baker to 34 percent shooting and 28 points in the second half. Ottawa had just 14 turnovers and dished out 21 assists.

Ottawa also spread the offense around with four players in double figures.

All of those things brought a smile to Carrier’s face.

“Success lends to self-confidence,” Carrier said.

Ottawa kept building team chemistry and roles. Some of it was forced.

With 8:22 left in the first half, Baker’s Heath Baird and Ottawa’s Phil McClintock were ejected from the game after both were called for flagrant technical fouls.

Ottawa led 38-21 at the time.

“We had to overcome adversity,” Carrier said.

One player who turned it up was senior Matt Green, who had 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

“He stepped up,” Carrier said. “He picked up a lot of slack. Those top eight or nine are getting their roles established.”

Another bright spot was the play of senior transfer Tony Anderson, who had a season-best 12 points and two assists.

Carrier said as time goes on he will continue to give others more playing time.

“We have other pieces to get included,” he said. “We will be 11 deep.”

Ottawa shot out of the gate fast, scoring the first nine points in the first two minutes of the game.

The Braves rolled to a 22-7 advantage with 14:40 remaining in the first half. Baker caught fire and rallied within 28-21 with 10:19 left.

Ottawa scored 10 straight points to forge the 17-point bulge. The Wildcats surged back within seven at 43-36 with four minutes remaining. Ottawa led 53-43 at halftime.

The Braves built a 23-point lead at 80-57 with 8:20 left in the game.

“No lead is sacred,” Carrier said.

Ottawa did execute its delay game at the end and scored.

Senior David Birch paced the Braves with 25 points, four assists and three steals. Senior Clint Brightman had 15 points, hitting three treys, and had six boards.

Ottawa (2-3) plays 3:30 p.m. today against Central Methodist.

Ottawa (91) — Green 4-7 1-2 12; Stegeman 0-1 0-0 0; Birch 8-14 7-9 25; Smith 3-5 0-0 7; Johnston 1-3 0-0 2; Brightman 5-13 2-4 15; Carter 3-10 2-4 8; McClintock 3-4 2-2 9; VanderVelde 0-1 1-2 1; Anderson 5-8 2-2 12. 3-pt FG: Green 3, Brightman 3, Birch 2, Smith 1, McClintock 1. Totals: 32-66 10-20 17-25 91.