NAIA
[Men's Basketball] #13 USAO Demolishes Calvary University on Opening Night
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Friday night, the No. 13 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1-0, 0-0 SAC) opened the 2022-23 season with a dominant 117-62 triumph against Calvary University (0-1, 0-0 NCCAA).The Drovers overpowered the Warriors from start to finish. In the opening half, USAO outscored Calvary 64-24, followed by a 53-38 advantage in the second half. As a team, the Drovers went 49-95 (.514) from the field, and 12-41 (.293) from three-point range. In comparison, the Warriors shot just 24-63 (.381) from the field, and 3-19 (.158) from deep. USAO held a 48-33 advantage in the rebounding battle, and the Drovers committed just five turnovers, while Calvary fumbled the ball 10 times. All 12 players that entered the game for USAO scored at least two points in the win. Leading the way was Langston Gaither (SR/Alexander, VA) with 33 points on 14-20 shooting from the field. Samkelo Cele (SR/Durban, South Africa) also had an impressive debut, recording 19 points on 9-17 shooting from the field. The reliable senior, Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA), contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Logan Dolan (SO/Broken Arrow, OK), Cejay Mann (SO/Alma, AR), and Dallen Forsythe (SO/Dale, OK) each opened the season with nine-point performances. Dolan added five rebounds, while Mann hauled in four boards, and Forsythe grabbed a career high of seven rebounds. Jace Hollingshed (SO/Oologah, OK) delivered a career performance, finishing with career-highs of eight points and six rebounds, followed by Cade Allen (SO/Hammon, OK) with seven points and three rebounds.Lendy Holmes (FR/Norman, OK) opened his collegiate career with five points off the bench, on 2-3 shooting from the field. Jaden Harrell (SO/Oklahoma City, OK) contributed two points, two steals, and five rebounds, while Tyler Cauley (SO/Riverview, FL) added two points, four rebounds, and a pair of assists. Jeremiah Paredes-Clark (Oklahoma City, OK) closed with two points and three rebounds. WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers will be back action for a top 15 showdown on Saturday, October 29, as they battle No. 4 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT on the campus of OKWU. Stay up to date on all Science & Arts Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.comLive-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao/YouTube: Drover AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @DroverAthleticsInstagram: @drover_athleticsGIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers