Strong finish propels OKWU past Bruins, 74-68

Site: Bartlesville, Okla. (Mueller Center)
Score: Oklahoma Wesleyan 74, No. 19 Bellevue 68 
Records: OW: (10-2, 1-0 MCAC); BU: (7-5, 0-1 MCAC)
Next BU event: Friday, Dec. 21 - at Dakota State – 7:00 p.m.

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- Oklahoma Wesleyan University outscored No. 19 Bellevue University, 9-3, over the final two minutes to pull out a 74-68 win in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams Friday night at the Mueller Center.

The Eagles extended their winning streak to nine games with the victory, improving to 10-2 overall and 1-0 in the MCAC. Bellevue fell to 7-5 on the season and 0-1 in league action. 

Everett Robinson led the Bruins with 18 points and five rebounds. Shawn Tarver was the only other Bruin in double figures, finishing with 13 points to go along with eight boards. 

Devin Harris paced the Eagles with a game-high 22 points. 

The game feature nine ties and 10 lead changes with neither team leading by more then eight points the entire game. The last tie came at 65-65 with 2:22 left in the contest. Harris scored five points in the last two minutes and the Eagles nailed four free throws in the final 40 seconds to seal the six-point victory. 

The Bruins will travel will travel to Madison, S.D. next Friday, Dec. 21, to take on Dakota State University, beginning at 7 p.m.

Scoring Summary

Bellevue.................... 34 - 34 -- 68

Oklahoma Wesleyan.. 31 - 43 -- 74

BU: E. Robinson, 18; Tarver, 13; Goodwin, 8; Dotson, 8; D. Robinson, 8; Zamudio, 6; Grant, 5; Perry, 2

OW: Harris, 22; Jahn, 13; Woods, 13; Seymour, 9; Ogletree, 7; James, 7; Cooks, 3