LAWTON, Okla. (Interstat) — Oklahoma City used a balanced scoring attack and a decisive second-half stretch to defeat Cameron 74-60 in a men’s NCAA Division II non-divisional basketball game Tuesday at Aggie Gym. The visiting team answered several Cameron challenges and pulled away late, dropping the Aggies to 0-1 on the season before an announced crowd of 453.

Oklahoma City controlled much of the game but Cameron stayed within striking distance early. Noah Suarjaya opened the scoring with a hook shot, and Xavier Harris tied the game with a layup for the Aggies. Cameron briefly moved ahead when Jonathan Mercera made a floating jump shot and Jake Lohman converted two free throws, while Keisean Shields and Harris kept the Aggies close from the perimeter. Oklahoma City rebuilt its advantage behind Maxime Faivre, Xavier Williams and Noah Suarjaya. Faivre made a tip-in, Williams added a layup and Suarjaya scored on a layup, and the visitors held a lead through much of the first half. Cameron answered late with a 3-pointer from Harris, a layup by Aaron Gashaw and a driving layup by Kalle Kuhalampi, but Oklahoma City carried a lead into the break on Chase Sucharda’s jumper.

The most important stretch came after halftime. Cameron’s Harris made a 3-pointer with 8:32 remaining to cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 57-51, giving the Aggies hope of a comeback. Oklahoma City responded with a 9-2 run that changed the game. Gaze made a layup, Tyler Pinder hit a 3-pointer, Pinder added a layup and Williams capped the burst with a layup at the 5:12 mark to push the lead to 66-53. Earlier in the second half, Cameron had pulled within two points on a free throw by Kuhalampi and within three on a 3-pointer by Lohman, but Oklahoma City answered each time. Pinder’s outside shooting and Gaze’s work inside kept the Aggies from completing a rally. Cameron never seriously threatened again, and Oklahoma City closed the game with a final push to secure the 14-point victory.

Cameron’s offense struggled to sustain momentum. The Aggies scored 60 points on 80 possessions, an offensive rating of 75.1. They finished with 10 offensive rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks, 10 turnovers and 20 fouls. Cameron scored 30 points in the first half and 30 after halftime, but Oklahoma City’s pressure and timely shooting kept the Aggies from putting together a sustained run. The Aggies’ 20 fouls also helped Oklahoma City maintain control, while Cameron’s 10 turnovers limited its chances to chip away.

Harris led Cameron with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes. Kalle Kuhalampi added 14 points, three rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes. Shields finished with six points, six rebounds, two assists and one block in 28 minutes. Aaron Gashaw contributed seven points and six rebounds in 15 minutes. Lohman had five points and one rebound in 17 minutes. Jordan Peel posted five points, four rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes. Champierre Brewer added two points and three rebounds in 11 minutes. Dominic Fulton scored three points with one assist in two minutes. Mercera had two points, one rebound and one assist in 20 minutes. Brennen Byrd finished with one point and two rebounds in 17 minutes.

Oklahoma City’s Suarjaya, Williams, Gaze and Pinder repeatedly hurt the Aggies. Suarjaya scored on a hook shot early and later added layups and free throws. Williams produced several layups and free throws, while Gaze scored repeatedly around the basket. Pinder’s 3-point shooting helped Oklahoma City keep separation in the second half. The visitors also took advantage of Cameron’s foul trouble and turned several Aggies turnovers into quick baskets.

Cameron will look to regroup quickly. The Aggies are scheduled to return to action Friday at Colorado-Colorado Springs, then play at Colorado State-Pueblo on Saturday and at Southwestern Oklahoma next Thursday. Southern Nazarene and Southeastern Oklahoma are among the Aggies’ upcoming home opponents. No point spread, over-under or game-simulator projection was available for the non-divisional matchup.