Pioneers Fall at #10 OKWU

The Basics
Score: MNU 69, Oklahoma Wesleyan 76
Record: MNU (3–1), OKWU (2–1)
Location: Mueller Sports Center – Bartlesville, Okla.

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – MNU dropped its first game of the season Tuesday night, falling 76–69 to #10 Oklahoma Wesleyan in a road matchup. Despite a strong shooting night from beyond the arc, the Pioneers couldn't overcome a slow start and a dominant rebounding edge by the Eagles.

MNU battled back from an early 12-point halftime deficit after trailing 44–32 at the break. Uriah Boutte provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 17 of his game-high 27 points in the second half to help the Pioneers close the gap to single digits. MNU trimmed the margin to 62-56 midway through the second period after back-to-back threes from Boutte and Isaiah Cull, but Oklahoma Wesleyan's inside play and free-throw advantage proved too much to overcome.

Malachi Bryant added 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting, while Cull finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Caden Kaberline contributed 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Turning Point
Trailing 62-53 with 9:00 remaining, MNU seemed poised for another comeback after a Boutte triple and Cull's corner three. However, Oklahoma Wesleyan's Humberto Kentish Jr. buried a key layup and Temaje Izuagbe followed with back-to-back baskets to extend the lead to double digits, and the Eagles held off the Pioneers the rest of the way.

Inside the Box Score
Rebounds: OKWU 37, MNU 23
Bench Points: MNU 31, OKWU 23
Points in the Paint: OKWU 44, MNU 26

Individual Leaders
Uriah Boutte: 27 points, 3 assists
Malachi Bryant: 16 points
Isaiah Cull: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Caden Kaberline: 5 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Up Next
The next game is Friday at home vs. #19 Morningside (1-2) at 6:00.