NAIA

[Men's Basketball] Drovers Dominate Rivalry Matchup at MACU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Thursday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (6-4, 4-1 SAC) earned their SIXTH consecutive victory against their rival, with a 96-84 performance at Mid-America Christian University (3-7, 1-4 SAC). The Drovers are 6-0 against the Evangels, dating back to January 7, 2021. Additionally, the Drovers pulled the all-time series even with the victory, with both teams having 17 wins in the 34 matchups. The Drovers got off to a terrific start, holding a 16-8 lead five minutes into the game. However, MACU began to chip away at the lead and cut the deficit to 18-16 midway through the half. USAO was able to regain momentum and took a 42-37 lead into the break.Following halftime, the Evangels were able to pull the score even at 44-44, but the Drovers went on a run and stretched their lead to 61-53 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation. USAO continued to shoot the lights out in the final minutes to wrap up the rivalry win.As a team, the Drovers shot 35-63 (.556) from the field, and 12-27 (.444) from three-point range. In comparison, the Evangels shot 31-64 (.484) from the field, and 8-23 (.348) from deep. MACU held a narrow advantage in the rebounding battle, by a margin of 40-36, and both teams committed 11 turnovers.USAO was whistled for 21 fouls and MACU was called on 20 infractions. The Evangels went 14-24 (.583) from the free-throw line, while USAO went 14-21 (.667) from the charity stripe. For the third game in a row, Samkelo Cele (SR/Durban, South Africa) scored at least 27 points to lead the Drovers in scoring. Cele finished with 31 points on 12-16 shooting from the field. This season, Cele is averaging 20.1 points per game, which ranks third in the Sooner Athletic Conference.Gerard Makuntae (SR/Austell, GA) contributed his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Makuntae shot 7-13 from the field, including 3-6 from beyond the arc. Cejay Mann (SO/Alma, AR) continued to impress with 17 points on 6-12 shooting from the field, and he also dished out three assists.Dallen Forsythe (SO/Dale, OK) scored a career high of 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Forsythe finished 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from deep. Prior to Thursday's contest, Forsythe had only scored 11 points in six games played.Langston Gaither (SR/Alexandria, VA) was only three rebounds shy of a triple-double, closing with 10 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. Logan Dolan (SO/Broken Arrow, OK) added five points, followed by Cade Allen (SO/Hammon, OK) with three.  WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers will return to Brisco McPherson Court on Saturday, December 10 as they host Southwestern Christian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:45 PM at Drover Fieldhouse. We would also like to mention that the USAO Athletic Department will be conducting a toy drive, in association with Droverthon throughout the month of December at home basketball games. Donation boxes will be located at the admissions office, inside of Troutt Hall, as well as at the ticket gate for home basketball games in December. The toys will be donated to OU Children's Hospital, and each person that donates an unopened/new toy for the toy drive will get into that day's games for free (except Dec. 30 vs Concordia).     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/usaoYouTube: Drover AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @DroverAthleticsInstagram: @drover_athleticsGIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers