Bruins pick up first win, down OCC, 93-72

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BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Five Bruins scored in double figures as the Bellevue University men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season, a 93-72 victory over Ozark Christian College, Friday night in the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Classic at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. 

With the win, the Bruins improved to 1-6 on the season. The Ambassadors fell to 1-3 overall. 

Bellevue connected on 17-of-36 from beyond the arc and finished 54 percent from the field. OCC shot 41.3 percent overall and was 5-of-13 from long range. 

Jerome Bynum led the Bruins with 17 points, three assists, and two steals. Jaden Phillips added 14 points, six boards, and three steals. 

TJ Fritz went 4-of-8 from the field, finishing with 13 points along with four rebounds and three assists. Caleb Chiang scored a season-high 12 points, and Makeem Loudermill was the fifth Bruin in double figures, finishing with 10 points. 

Joel Pugh paced the Ambassadors with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Andre Johnson added 13 points and six rebounds. 

After each team made early runs to start the contest, the Bruins pulled away in the opening half, outscoring OCC 26-9 to close the period, taking a 49-32 lead at the intermission. 

Philips led BU in the first half, going 4-of-5 from behind the arc, scoring 12 points while adding four rebounds. Pugh led OCC with 11 first-half points. 

BU used a 9-0 spurt midway through the second half to build a commanding 32-point advantage at 85-53 with 8:26 left in the contest.  

The Ambassadors chipped away at the lead but never got closer than 21 points as the Bruins cruised to the 93-72 victory.  

Bellevue will conclude the tournament with a 5 p.m. contest on Saturday (Nov. 18) against Harris-Stowe State University.