Freshmen Harper, Tate shine as OC rolls past Crowley’s Ridge 117-45

Freshman Nick Tate had 22 points and 13 rebounds in a 117-45 win over Crowley’s Ridge (Ark.).

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 12, 2011) – Freshmen Nick Tate and Willie Harper each scored 22 points and four other Eagles reached double figures as Oklahoma Christian rolled past Crowley’s Ridge (Ark.) 117-45 on Saturday night on Dan Hays Court in the Eagles’ Nest.

OC (3-0) posted its highest point total since scoring 127 points in the 2010-11 season opener against Hillsdale Baptist. All 10 eligible OC players saw at least 14 minutes and each of them scored as the Eagles shot 54.7 percent from the field. Five different players recorded at least one dunk for OC.

More importantly to OC head coach Dan Hays, the Eagles recorded 33 assists on 47 baskets.

“Thirty-three assists – that’s a good thing,” Hays said. “It showed an ability to share the basketball. They guys really weren’t looking for themselves, they were looking for each other.”

Kendre Talley led the way on the assist front for the Eagles, recording a career-high 13 in about 18 minutes of playing time. He also had six steals and four points.

“Kendre has got the whole package,” Hays said. “He’s a special player. I’m glad he’s on our team because he’s going to keep getting better.”

Hays also raved about the play of Tate and Harper. Tate had 13 rebounds to go with his 22 points while Harper also had six rebounds and six assists.

The Eagles sputtered for the first 10 minutes of the game and trailed on two occasions, the last at 12-10 after Ryan Miller hit a 3-pointer for Crowley’s Ridge. Harper tied the game with a basket then put the Eagles ahead for good with a 3-pointer, one of four treys he made in six attempts from behind the arc.

A 22-2 run by OC gave the Eagles a 32-14 lead. The Pioneers rallied within 35-25, but OC closed the half on a 17-3 run and led 52-28 at halftime.

The Eagles scored the first 19 points of the second half and extended the run to 31-2 over the first 8½ minutes to make it 83-30.

“The last seven minutes of the first half we looked really good, and the first six minutes of the second half our starters looked really good,” Hays said.

The 72-point margin of victory was OC’s largest since a 139-26 win over Barclay (Kan.) on Nov. 28, 2005. OC outrebounded the Pioneers 60-32 and forced them into 35 turnovers.

Brandon Troutman (13 points), Derek Johnson (11 points, three blocked shots), Christopher Manuel (11 points) and Devan White (10 points) all scored in double figures for the Eagles.

Miller led Crowley’s Ridge with 13 points while Josh Longino added 11. Crowley’s Ridge is in its second year as a four-year institution.

EAGLE EYE BLOG

Chuck White’s final home game

This video features scenes from Chuck White’s final home game as OC’s head baseball coach. Coach White was the driving force in the revival of the baseball program and the construction of Dobson Field and the Bobby Murcer Indoor Training Facility.

OC Softball vs. Oklahoma Baptist—April 28, 2012

OC Baseball vs. Mid-America Christian—April 26, 2012