Hawks host Ottawa Braves in noon tipoff

Connor Evans ranks among the GLVC leaders in steals and rebounds.

The Rockhurst Hawks (5-4) host the Ottawa Braves (6-7) of the NAIA's Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference in a noon tipoff today at Mason-Halpin Field House. The Hawks won the last meeting between two schools (96-71) at Rockhurst on Dec. 16, 2015. Rockhurst leads the all-time series, 15-3. Today's game counts as an exhibition game for Ottawa.

Senior guard Malachi Nix leads the Hawks in scoring (11.3) and assists (2.9). Nix ranks 39th in scoring, 26th in assists and 20th in steals (1.3) in the GLVC. Junior center Gabe Brown leads the GLVC and is tied for 10th in the nation in blocked shots (2.8). Sophomore forward Connor Evans ranks 10th in steals (1.6) and 30th in rebounding (5.1) in the GLVC. House ranks eighth in 3-point field goals made (2.6) in the GLVC.

Malachi Nix and Gabe Brown combined for 43 points to lead Rockhurst to a 77-73 victory over Rogers State on Dec. 10 at Mason-Halpin. Nix finished with 23 points and six assists. Brown tallied a career-high 20 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked four shots. Rockhurst canned six-of-seven free throws in the final two minutes to finish 21-of-26 at the foul line. Kaleb Warner posted 12 points and eight rebounds. Andrew Ellwanger tallied nine points. Connor Evans added seven points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. Rockhurst shot 43.1 percent from the field and 40.0 percent on three-point field goals.

Ottawa is coming off an 85-75 victory at Oklahoma Panhandle State last Thursday. Senior forward Logan Bullinger led Ottawa with 17 points and six rebounds. Junior guard Hollis Mitchell tallied 12 points and five rebounds. Junior forward Titus Rice leads the Braves in scoring (17.2). Bullinger is averaging 16.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. Aaron Siebenthall is in his second season as Ottawa's head coach and has a 20-22 record.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Connor Evans: F; 6' 5"; Sophomore

#2 Malachi Nix: G; 5' 8"; Senior

#21 Gabe Brown: C; 7' 0"; Junior

#25 Kaleb Warner: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#32 Andrew Ellwanger: F; 6' 7"; Senior; Don and Christy Ellwanger

Players Mentioned

#3 Connor Evans
: 6' 5"; Sophomore
: F

#2 Malachi Nix
: 5' 8"; Senior
: G

#21 Gabe Brown
: 7' 0"; Junior
: C

#25 Kaleb Warner
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#32 Andrew Ellwanger
: 6' 7"; Senior; Don and Christy Ellwanger
: F