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Oklahoma Wesleyan basketball is alive in the "Battle for the Red Banner," as the Eagles escaped from Baker University to advance to the national quarterfinals, 77-65 on Friday night. 

A slow start for OKWU put them behind early, they trailed by as many as 11 in the first half, 33-22, before cutting it to five at halftime, 37-32.

The Eagles turned things on in the second half as they have all year, outscoring Baker in the final frame, 45-28, to win the game by double digits and advance.

This feed from Jaden Lietzke to Ethan Williams in the final two minutes helped seal it.

Wesleyan’s big offensive second half came without good outside shooting. OKWU went only 1-8 from three in the final 20 minutes, going 4-17 from deep overall.

Defense was the game, Wesleyan held Baker to 27.6 percent shooting in the second half. Jaden Leitzke led the way for the Eagles with 18 points and 12 rebounds. OKWU also had a nine-rebound advantage on the glass.

OKWU is right back at it Saturday night for a spot in the "Fab Four" on the line from Kansas City at Municipal Auditorium.

The Eagles get the 1-seed in the Liston quadrant, LSU Alexandria. The Generals come in with an overall record of 31-2.

Tip-off from Kansas City is set for 7 p.m. Coverage of the game can be heard on KWON - AM 1400, FM 93.3 and 95.1. Pregame will start at 6:45.