The Baker University men’s basketball team came away with two nail-biting victories in its last two non-conference matchups.
The Wildcats last non-conference game was a rematch against Ottawa University Nov. 21 in Ottawa.
Baker defeated the Braves 70-42 Nov. 12 in Collins Center, but Ottawa would not go down easy in its own gym.
Despite owning a seven-point lead going into halftime, the Wildcats had to play their first overtime game of the season in order to outlast the Braves 79-77.
“(Ottawa) came out really flat against us in our first meeting,” head coach Brett Ballard said. “They played with a little more of a spark tonight, so it was more them than us.”
The Wildcats were led by junior Jordan Honore, who scored a team-high 18 points.
BU’s win against Ottawa came just two days after it defeated Bethany College 63-62 by knocking down a 3-pointer at the buzzer from junior Todd Johnston.
“We called a regular sideline out of bounds play, and I happened to be open,” Johnston said. “(Sophomore) Todd Eils made a great pass and luckily I hit the shot.”
Johnston’s 3-pointer made him one of four Wildcats to score in double figures as him and junior Baba Diallo had 10 points apiece, senior Jack Shortell recorded 11 points and Honore led the way with 13 points.
“We like to distribute the ball,” Honore said. “I don’t think that we have a player on our team that is shot-hinding. When I say shot-hinding, I mean a guy who wants the shot every time down the floor.”
The buzzer-beating win came one day after the ‘Cats fell to McPherson College 77-63. The loss was Baker’s second of the season and the Wildcats have allowed 52 points in the second half of both of their defeats.
“We just have to be tougher on defense,” Johnston said. “We have a really good defensive team, and we were just out-toughed against McPherson.”
Chris and Jordan Crawford and Samson Shivers, who combined for 51 of the Bulldogs 77 points, led McPherson. The Wildcats had two players in double figures and struggled from the charity stripe, knocking down 9-17 free throws.
Not including the Wildcats’ 90-72 loss to Fort Hays State University in an exhibition game Sunday, Baker is 7-2 on the season heading into conference play.
BU’s Heart of America Athletic Conference opener was against Avila University Thursday in Collins Center, but results were not available at presstime.
The ’Cats’ first conference road contest comes against Missouri Valley College at 4 p.m. Saturday in Marshall, Mo.