BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- Top-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan broke open a tight game early in the second half, posting an 85-69 win over No. 11 Bellevue University (Neb.) Saturday night (Feb. 6) in Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball action. The loss halted BU's 16-game winning streak.

OWU led by just two points at the half at 36-34 but went on a 16-4 run in the first seven minutes of the second half and never let the Bruins get closer than 10 points the remainder of the contest.The Bruins, who had not lost a game in over two months, fell to 19-7 on the year and 7-1 in the MCAC. OWU improved to 22-2 and 6-2 in league play.

Bellevue last lost on Nov. 28 when Dordt handed the Bruins a 76-70 loss at the Dordt Basketball Classic.

Oklahoma Wesleyan, the defending national champions, snapped a two-game losing streak after avenging last Saturday's 81-70 road loss to the Bruins. The Eagles also fell at College of Ozarks, 75-73, last Tuesday.

Bellevue, which still has a one-game lead in the conference standings, was led by senior Ron King who scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds. Junior Avery Tyler added 16 points, while senior Jace Fredenburg and sophomore Ousseynou Diop poured in 10 points apiece.

The Bruins were plagued by 19 turnover in the loss and shot just 32.1 percent in the second half.

Sadiel Rojas led the Eagles with a double-double on 23 points and 11 rebounds. Steve Briggs added 19 points and six assists.