Kansas City, Mo. -- Oklahoma Wesleyan overcame a five-point halftime deficit to secure a rewarding 77-65 victory over Baker (Kan.), two teams from the NAIA's Midwest ARC, in front of a great crowd at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. OKWU improves to 26-7, and will play LSU Alexandria (La.) in the Quarterfinals; while Baker fell to 30-4.

The first half saw the Wildcats take a narrow lead, heading into halftime with a 37-32 advantage. However, the second half was a different story, as the Eagles came out strong, outscoring Baker 45-28. This surge was fueled by efficient shooting and solid defense. Jaden Lietzke was a standout performer for Oklahoma Wesleyan, contributing 18 points and dominating the boards with 12 rebounds. His presence in the paint was a key factor in the victory. Derrick Talton Jr. also played a pivotal role, adding 12 points and dishing out six assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities.

Baker (Kan.) struggled with their shooting efficiency, hitting only 35.0 percent from the field. Despite this, Noah Rigatuso put up a valiant effort, leading his team with 20 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Ty Henry provided a spark off the bench, scoring 14 points, but it wasn't enough to counter Oklahoma Wesleyan's balanced attack. Oklahoma Wesleyan's defense was instrumental in their victory, as they managed to limit Baker's scoring opportunities and forced crucial turnovers. The team's ability to convert free throws, shooting 79.2 percent from the line, further solidified their win.

OKWU and LSU-A will close out the quarterfinal round Saturday night, at 7 p.m.