KCAC Player of the Year Tamaje Izuagbe (6'6''-F) led the Eagles 34 points
“It’s a really, really big accomplishment. Really big accomplishment. So proud of my guys.”
For just the third time in school history, Oklahoma Wesleyan has completed the conference title sweep, winning both the regular season and tournament titles in the same year.
“It’s huge. I know we weren’t able to complete this last year. For us to be able to get this one this year, it’s a testament to our work and God of course,” said junior Yashi McKenzie (6'1''-G), who finished with seven points.
To do it, the Eagles had to fight off 16th ranked Friends University for the third time this season.
“This is a top ten team. The ability to beat them three times, all three of them in games just like this. Feeling like right if we give the effort, the water’s going to part. We step into the water, and that’s the plan. Keep stepping in the water, be bold, be courageous and have joy,” said head coach Donnie Bostwick.
Tuesday night’s title game featured seven lead changes and thirteen ties, with the KCAC Tournament title coming down to the final second. The two teams traded baskets early in the first half, before Friends went on an 8-0 run to build a seven-point lead. The Eagles battled back thanks to 21 first half points from conference player of the Tamaje Izuagbe.
“I just came out here and wanted to give everything I have to my teammates. Play for my coach and most of all, came out here to praise God,” said Izuabe, who finished with a game-high 34 points.
The Eagles were able to head into the halftime locker room tied at 38 thanks to Amari Woods layup at the horn.
And thanks to the energy of the capacity crowd, the Eagles jumped out of the second half on a 9-0 run.The Falcons refused to fold, battling back to make it a one score game multiple times.
“Friends just kept firing though. Good grief, was up 6 or 7 or 9, and they would just hit a couple of threes and be back at you,” said Bostwick.
With 39 seconds to go, Friends grabbed a 78-76 lead thanks to a perfectly placed lob to Randy Woolf (6'4''-G).
The Eagles responded, Ethan Williams (6'5''-G) got the put back and drew the foul, and completed the three-point play to retake the lead. A play head coach Donnie Bostwick had a premonition about.
“I had a dream he was going to hit a bucket and win it for us. That’s kind of odd. I told him to go to the basket, make somebody double-team you, get the bucket and one.”
Friends had one final opportunity, but a last-second jumper missed the mark, and Oklahoma Wesleyan held on for a 79-78 championship victory.
“We’re going to slow this thing down and enjoy evey step. We’re fixing to cut some nets down. Have some fun and enjoy this for a couple of day. And just enjoy the process, because you don’t get to do this kind of stuff very often in life,” added Bostwick.
“We need to definitely cherish this one, enjoy this one, but right back to work tomorrow. That’s the mindset we’ve got to have,” said McKenzie.

Courtesy of newson6.com

Final:
Oklahoma Wesleyan - Friends 79-78

Semis:
Oklahoma Wesleyan - Southwestern 80-71
Friends - Evangel 83-76