Trailing 60-59 with 2:55 remaining in the game, Scott McCall hit a pair of free throws to put Ozarks (6-3, 6-1) up 61-59 and give the Eagles a lead they would never relinquish. Jacob Sibley followed with two free throws twenty-five seconds later to give the Eagles a 63-60 advantage. Austin College (1-9, 0-7), however, would cut the deficit to one point after a jumper by James Hill with 1:12 left. The Kangaroos were unable to convert on their next offensive possession and Sibley hit two more free throws to seal the win with seven seconds left.
Habeeb Kareem was one of four players in double figures for Ozarks. Kareem finished with 14 points and Josh Joyner added 13. McCall had 12 points and Chris Clark followed with 11 points. Brad Johnson had a team-best 7 rebounds. Joyner had 4 assists. The Eagles hit 25-34 (73%) from the free throw line in the game.
The Eagles are one game ahead of Mississippi College in the league standings.
Ozarks hits the road this month when they play 6 of their 9 ASC games away from Clarksville’ Mabee Gymnasium. Ozarks travels to Abilene, Texas, to face Hardin-Simmons University on January 5. Ozarks then takes on McMurry University on January 7.