Eagles Stun UAFS Lions In OT

Courtesy UAFS Athletics Department

Sophomore guard Nick Tate just beat the buzzer with a jumper inside the 3-point line in overtime to lift the Oklahoma Christian Eagles to an 82-80 win against the UAFS Lions in nonconference play on Saturday at the Payne Athletic Center in Oklahoma City.

It was the first-ever meeting between UAFS Lions and Oklahoma Christian, which is a new member of the Heartland Conference but a provisional member of the Heartland Conference.

Tied at 71 points after regulation, UAFS fell behind by as many as 5 points with 50 seconds left in the extra frame. Senior forward Djordje Stojanovic drained a 3-pointer to cut the Lions’ deficit to 2 points (79-77) with 39 seconds left. Oklahoma Christian pushed its lead to 3-points on a free throw by Willie Harper with 29 seconds left.

Junior guard Corey Copeland tied the game at 80 points with a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left. Oklahoma Christian called timeout with 8 seconds left to set up a game-winning play. With the last second ticking off the clock, Tate got free from his defender just quick enough to launch his game-winner, which hit nothing but net.

Copeland led UAFS (6-6) with 25 points, while Stojanovic had 13 and senior guard Dijon Farr and junior guard Jake Toupal had 12 points apiece.

Will Reinke led the Eagles (8-5) with 24 points, while Brandon Troutman had 15.

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OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN 82, UAFS 80 OT

UAFS 24 47 9 — 80

Oklahoma Christian 36 35 11 — 82

UAFS (6-6): Copeland 23, Dj. Stojanovic 13, Farr 12, Toupal 12, McClish 6, Du. Stojanovic 6, Mitchell 6, Ekeh 2

Oklahoma Christian (8-5): Reinke 24, Troutman 15, Talley 9, Johnson 9, White 8, Harper 8, Tate 6, Randall 3