COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Mavericks scored a season-high 89 points to open the Air Force Classic with an 89-83 victory over the Tribe of William & Mary on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Omaha's record moves to 2-2 in the win, while William & Mary drops to 2-2 on the year.
Leaders for Omaha
Frankie Fidler recorded his first double-double of the year as he led the team with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Fidler reset his season-highs in scoring (26), rebounds (10), assists (3) and steals (2) in the win. JJ White, Tony Osburn and Luke Jungers notched season highs with 10 points each to round out the double-digit scorers for Omaha. Grant Stubblefield made his first start in black and crimson and led the Mavericks with four assists. On the glass, Nick Davis and Marquel Sutton set new season highs as Davis had six rebounds while Sutton collected five. Davis led Omaha with two blocks.
Leaders for William & Mary
The Tribe was led by a 22-point performance from Noah Collier, who also tied for the team-lead in rebounds with six. Gabe Dorsey finished with 20 points after sinking five three-pointers. Sean Houpt was held to 13 points, Chase Lowe notched 11 points and picked up six boards, and Trey Moss scored 10 to round out the double-digit point-getters for William & Mary.
Team Stats
William & Mary shot 49.1% from the field compared to Omaha's 44.3%, but the Mavericks led the Tribe in three-point and free throw shooting. Omaha went 37.9% from deep, while William & Mary averaged 32% beyond the arc. The Mavericks were 24-for-28 from the charity stripe, outshooting the Tribe who went 19-for-26 in free throws. Both teams turned the ball over 11 times, but Omaha was more advantageous, getting 20 points from turnovers compared to William & Mary's five. The Mavericks were able to score 32 fast-break points while holding the Tribe to five.
Inside the First Half
The Mavericks and Tribe traded buckets through the first five minutes of play. Omaha was able to open the game up with three-pointers from Osburn, Jungers and Jaeden Marshall. Marshall's three at 10:19 gave Omaha its largest lead of the half at 21-12. The Tribe would respond with a nine-point scoring run, taking a 26-23 lead with 7:23 to play in the first half. William & Mary saw its lead grow as large as six points, but Omaha was able to cut the deficit to five before the teams went into the break with the Tribe leading 40-35.
Inside the Second Half
Omaha began the second half with five of its first six possessions ending in three points. Fidler and Marshall converted and-one attempts before Stubblefield sank a three pointer. Then back-to-back threes from Jungers at 16:05 and 15:41 gave the Mavericks a 52-50 lead which they held through the final buzzer.
The Mavericks led by 11 points, their largest lead of the game, with just 5:48 to play. William & Mary fought back, cutting the Omaha lead to three points with 1:38 on the clock. Solid defending and free-throw shooting helped the Mavericks thwart the would-be comeback and secure the 89-83 win.
Game Notes
- Four Mavericks had double-digit scoring performances in the win, and all four notched new season-highs in scoring (Fidler-26, Jungers-10, Osburn-10, White-10).
- Fidler (26 points, 10 rebounds) recorded the sixth double-double of his career and first of the 2023-24 season.
- Grant Stubblefield recorded a career-high four assists to lead the team in that category.
- All 10 Mavericks that played against the Tribe recorded two or more points, resulting in 35 bench-points for Omaha.
Up Next
The Mavericks continue the Air Force Classic with a battle against Lindenwood. Tipoff from Clune Arena at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MT, 3 p.m. CT.
