Box Score MEMPHIS—The No. 8 Christian Brothers University Bucs picked up a 53-42 win over Ouachita Baptist Thursday night as they remained in first place in the Gulf South Conference West Division.

The Bucs (19-3, 8-1 GSC West) trailed most of the first half, going into the locker room behind at halftime for the first time since November 22, but they seized control with a 17-2 run early in the second half, featuring baskets by all five starters.

Connor Wetzel (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming HS) sparked the run with a layup.  Reggie Peyton (Memphis, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) knocked down a pair of three-pointers, followed by two Nick Kohs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East HS) layups.  A Scott Dennis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) tip-in stretched the lead to 33-25, and Kyle Couvion (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville HS) drained a three-pointer with 13:09 remaining to give the Bucs a 36-25 margin.

The Tigers (12-10, 2-7) could come no closer than five points the rest of the way.  Back-to-back fast-break dunks by Peyton and Kohs pushed the lead back to double figures at 48-37 with 3:11 remaining, and neither team scored a basket the rest of the way, with the last 10 points coming at the free throw line.

Peyton scored a game-high 17 points, while Kohs added 16 points and eight rebounds.  Dennis grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds to go with his 10 points.

The Bucs held OBU to just 26.8 percent (15-of-56) from the floor while shooting 46.3 percent (19-of-41).  CBU out-rebounded the Tigers 40-30 but committed 20 turnovers to Ouachita's 11.

The Bucs visit Delta State Saturday night at 6 p.m.  The Bucs head into the game with a one-game lead in the GSC West standings at 8-1 compared to DSU's 7-2 mark.