By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Ozark Christian College shot 62.5 percent from the field in opening its men’s basketball season by beating Crowley’s Ridge 96-85 on Friday night in the Multi-Purpose Building.
The Ambassadors hit nine of 16 shots from 3-point range and 35 of 56 overall — converting several fast-break baskets — in dropping the Pioneers of Paragould, Ark., to 1-3.
Steven Tackett, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Carl Junction, scored 21 points and either led or tied a teammate in rebounds (6), assists (4) and steals (3).
“We shot the ball well,” OCC coach Chris Lahm said. “We hit our 3s, too, and we’ll have to keep doing that to have a successful season.
“We didn’t get off to a very good start,” Lahm said. “I thought our defense helped us battle back into the game.”
The Ambassadors, with reserves delivering in a big way, extended a 44-39 halftime lead with a flourish about halfway through the second half.
A trey by Justin Crain and a pair by Drew Hanson built a 64-48 lead. A basket by Austin Weece, a trey by Paden Bennett and a basket by Caleb Hutchcraft made it 71-53.
“Our bench did a good job. I believe we outscored them 33-19,” Lahm said. “Our bench should be a strength this season.”
Bennett, transferring from William Penn (Iowa) to join prep teammate Tackett, scored 16 points and Hutchcraft added 12.
Justin Crain, a starter, sank three 3s in scoring 14 for the Ambassadors.
Lahm wasn’t completely happy with a performance that saw OCC lead 19-6 in turnovers.
“I also wasn’t happy with the way we finished,” Lahm said. “Defensively, we can’t let teams shoot that well. We have a lot of work to do.”
OCC, thanks to poor passing, didn’t finish for easy baskets a few times down the stretch.
Those passes brought a pleading Lahm’s classic line: “I’ll buy you something if one of you guys use a bounce pass.”
The Pioneers, who shot 47 percent from the floor, trailed 40-27 in rebounding.
Crowley’s Ridge, a young team, received 20 points from freshman guard Zach Mitchell, who had five 3s, and 21 points and seven rebounds from 6-6 sophomore Quentin Franks.
The early shooting of Mitchell helped the Pioneers jump in front 12-4 and brought a second timeout from Lahm within the first six minutes in the game.
OCC opens its Midwest Christian College Conference schedule by entertaining Central Christian of Moberly in a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader next Friday.
