BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University men's basketball team shot 66% from the floor and 52% from deep in a 101-52 season-opening victory over Oakland City University in the Chick-fil-A Classic on Friday evening.
Willie Williams came off the bench to lead all scorers with 23 points, one of four Bruins to score in double figures. Nigel Wilson added 19 points, five rebounds, five blocks, and three assists. TJ Fritz and RJ Smith joined them in double figures with 17 and 12, respectively.
Both defenses commanded the game early with just one field goal made in the first three minutes.
Things immediately picked up after Bellevue subbed en masse with Wilson immediately hitting back-to-back layups. The Bruins led by seven at the midway mark of the first half before Fritz and Williams canned consecutive threes to kick off an 18-5 run and Raphael Allen capping it with a three-pointer of his own as BU led 40-20 with 4:41 to play.
The Bruins out-scored OCU 12-4 over the final 2:28 to take a 56-30 lead into halftime.
Bellevue continued their offensive onslaught, stretching their lead to as many as 51 points, 91-40, with 10:34 to play.
Ten different Bruins found their way into the scoring column. Caleb Chiang dished out seven assists as BU assisted on 25 of 41 made baskets.
Christian Carter, Williams, and Wilson led the way with five boards apiece while Bellevue controlled the glass, out-rebounding Oakland City 36-26 on the night.
Hunter Johnson led the Mighty Oaks with 10 points and Williams chipped in eight as Oakland City struggled to just 38% shooting from the floor and committed 13 turnovers to BU's eight.
The Bruins are back in action tomorrow evening against (RV) Peru State College with a 7 p.m. tip-off to close out the Chick-fil-A Classic.
