Clarksville, Ark.-The Eagles couldn't overcome a sluggish start as Ecclesia College pulled off a 76-72 upset in non-conference play in Springdale.
Ecclesia (11-6) benefitted from a 12-of-13 free throw shooting performance in the first half to hold a 37-31 advantage after twenty minutes. Ecclesia held a 30-16 lead with 5:04 left in the half, but the Eagles (4-5) roared back to cut it to 32-28 just two and a half minutes later. Ozarks could never get things going at the free throw line in the first half as they shot just 4-of-11. Meanwhile, Ecclesia hit 12-of-13.
Ozarks would tie the game once in the second half but never managed to get the lead. Tony Daniels carried the Eagles in the second half, scoring 14 of his game-high 22 points in that span. His jumper with 10:30 left would tie the game 49-49 and his three-pointer with 47 seconds left would get the Eagles within 72-68.
Daniels also had 9 rebounds and went 8-of-17 from the floor. Chris Williams had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Andre Williams and Jeremy Clark scored 11 and 10 points respectively.
Ozarks will travel to Abilene, Texas, to face Hardin-Simmons January 3 and McMurry University January 5.
Topics: Athletics