Box Score

THE LEAD
In search of their fourth consecutive win of the year, the Dallas Baptist Men's Basketball Team seized a 77-63 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Wednesday night at the Burg Center.  DBU junior, Franklin Uzonwanne, led the way for the Patriots recording his career first double-double.  Uzonwanne pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds and scored 10 points, while also blocking four shots.  With the win, DBU has won four straight since dropping their season opener to Colorado Mesa University.
 
The Patriots (4-1) jumped out to an early seven point lead in the game's first seven minutes, but struggled to pull away from the Eagles.  Oklahoma Wesleyan (3-10) battled back to tie the game at 19 apiece at the midway point of the first half, before DBU went on a 25-13 run to close out the half and carry a 44-33 lead into the locker room. 
 
In the opening moments of the second half, a Jordan Pratt layup would put the Patriots up by 14.  A three pointer by Oklahoma Wesleyan's Steve Cooks pulled the Eagles to within 11, followed by a jumper from Uros Pavic cut the DBU lead to single digits with 17:33 to play. 
 
It would be a common theme the rest of the way as the Patriots had a difficult time putting the Eagles away.  A 7-0 run though, capped off by a Myles Johnson layup with 7:04 remaining gave the Patriots some breathing room, as DBU opened up their largest lead of the night at 16. 
 
Oklahoma Wesleyan would make one more charge at the Patriots, cutting the DBU lead to nine with 4:20 left in the game.  The Patriots outscored the Eagles 8-3 over the final four-plus minutes to secure the 77-63 victory and give DBU their fourth straight win, matching last year's season long win streak that went from February 8-15.
 
DBU HEAD COACH, BLAKE FLICKNER – ON TONIGHT'S WIN
"There was a lot of sloppiness tonight, we didn't do a very good job of taking care of the ball and we didn't execute offensively.  We've got to get stronger handling the ball and moving the ball against pressure."
 
DBU HEAD COACH, BLAKE FLICKNER – ON FRANKLIN UZONWANNE'S NIGHT
"I thought Franklin played with good energy.  He was great on the boards and challenged shots all night.  We just need him to finish a little better in the paint and I believe he'll do that."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
48% - DBU shot 48% from three-point-range, connecting on 11-of-23 from beyond the arc.
16 – For the fifth straight game, Myles Johnson led DBU in scoring, pouring in 16 points tonight.
30 – The Patriots scored 30 points in the paint, led by Franklin Uzonwanne's 10 points.
1 – Franklin Uzonwanne's double-double was the first for DBU since Remy Ndiaye recorded one in the season finale last year.
 
UP NEXT FOR DBU
The Patriots travel to Commerce, Texas, on Saturday for a 4 pm tip-off against Texas A&M-Commerce.  DBU knocked off the Lions, 104-101 in overtime at the Burg Center on November 22.  The last time the two teams met in Commerce, the Patriots fell 72-67 on November 20, 2013.