Second Half Outburst Propels Wildcats to Victory over College of the Ozarks
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
College of the Ozarks (2-4) | 31 | 29 | 60 |
|
Culver-Stockton (MO) (2-2) | 33 | 51 | 84 |
A second half scoring outburst propelled the Culver-Stockton College men's basketball team to an 84-60 non-conference victory over the College of the Ozarks Tuesday night at Charles Field House.
The Wildcats gave a preview of things to come in the opening moments of the first half, scoring to a 25-10 lead on a basket by Robert Fry II with eight minutes remaining in the opening 20 minutes.
The Bobcats found their footing over the final eight minutes of the half and outscored the hosts 21-8 to pull within 33-31 at the intermission.
Ozarks tied the game at 33 on the opening possession of the second half; however, a traditional three-point play by Fry helped C-SC regain the lead at 36-33.
The Bobcats answered with an 8-3 run to take their only lead of the game at 41-39 on a basket by Kyle Flavin with 16:05 remaining.
At that point the Wildcats made their move.
Fry tied the game with a basket, and then Seth Larson scored on a fast break layup after a steal by Gabe Cox to give C-SC the lead for good at 43-41.
In fact, the Wildcats outscored the visitors 23-7 over the next six minutes to build a 64-48 lead.
Ozarks closed to within 68-56 with five minutes remaining, but the that was close as it would get as the Wildcats closed the game with a 16-4 run.
Fry led five players in double figures with 19 points and a game-high six assists. Fry was 7-for-11 from the field, including one 3-pointer, and 4-for6 from the free throw line.
Larson added 16 points on seven of 10 shooting from the field. The Wildcats shot a season-high 57 percent from the field, making 32 of their 57 attempts.
C-SC also got 34 points from its bench with Quinten Blackburn scoring 13 markers on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the field, and Cole Schwartz draining four 3-pointers and netting 12 points. Connor Davis was also in double figures with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
The Wildcats (2-2) is slated to begin Heart of America Athletic Conference play this Saturday, Nov. 18, at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at the Cook Center in Olathe, Kan.