BARTLESVILLE, Okla, Dec. 2, 2023 – In their first meeting of two this season between the two perennially nationally ranked teams, (11)Southwestern College (9-0, 4-0) defeated (4)Oklahoma Wesleyan University (8-1, 3-1), 79-67, in the Eagle's nest.

As soon as the Builder's bus arrived on campus at 2201 Silver Lake Road at the Mueller Sports Center, Cevin Clark had multiple Oklahoma Wesleyan defenders following him at all times with their eagle claws ready.

Clark was face guarded, double teamed, triple teamed and still able to finish with 15 points, three rebounds, 50% from three, three for six, four for 12 overall.

Clark is now tied for third place nationally at 26.1 points per game. Tied with Jackie Harris of Lourdes University in Sylvania, OH.

With all the attention Clark was drawing, the Eagles seemed more than willing to allow Andrew O'Brien to shoot wide open, step in three-pointers, and shoot he did. O'Brien took full advantage of the Welseyan defensive strategy, going five for ten from beyond the arc, 50%, finishing with 15 points, five rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and two steals.

Jarvis Jennings was also taking full advantage of the attention the Eagles were giving Clark. Jennings was getting to the rim on smaller defenders and finishing with his patented paint touch, back down, silky smooth finger roll. But Jennings was giving Wesleyan a taste of all his weapons, finishing with 12 points, Jennings hit two of three from deep, five of eight overall and added four rebounds.

Off the bench for Southwestern, Wyatt Bell had multiple momentum killing shots that kept the Eagles at bay. Bell finished with 11 points, three rebounds, and was instrumental in the 33 to 15 advantage in bench points that SC had over Wesleyan.

The Eagles won the opening tip and had a missed layup by Jaden Lietzke. The SC first possession, Zach Hidalgo cleaned up a Jarivs Jennings missed layup to put the Builders on the board first 2-0. Five possessions later, the Eagles would score, 2-2 and that would be the last time Welseyan had a chance to take a lead, and there was still 37 minutes and 50 seconds left in the game.

By no means was it easy, but the Builders showed a lot of grit on the road to handle the second half full court press the Eagles threw at the Builders. Limiting their turnovers against the press and having multiple players to step up and make big shots when Clark was trying to shake off multiple Eagles constantly flying all around him.

The Builders shot 42.3% from the field for the game and hit 75% of their free throws as the Eagles were forced to foul late in the game.

The return visit for Oklahoma Wesleyan to Historic Stewart Field House is slated for February 7, at 7 PM.

Southwestern will host Bethel College (4-6, 2-2),  Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 PM.