MUSKOGEE, OKLA. (Jan. 16, 2012) -- The No. 10 NAIA-ranked Saints men's basketball team from Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) won its 12th consecutive game this evening when it defeated Bacone College 105-81 in Muskogee, Okla.

The win improves the Saints record to 11-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference and 14-3 overall, while Bacone drops to 1-10 in conference and 2-14 overall.

The Saints are 2 ½ games ahead of second-place University of St. Thomas (8-2/10-6). St. Thomas is followed by Texas Wesleyan University (7-2/12-3).

Texas Wesleyan, previously ranked sixth in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, is now No. 13. The Saints' 10th place ranking has been lauded as one of the best improvements within the poll this week. The Saints enjoyed the highest climb of seven spots.

The Saints took about three minutes to get their footing when they fell behind 7-8. After that, it was the Saints' game for the rest of the competition, as the team pushed ahead to lead by as much as 23 points. The teams went into the locker room with the Saints leading 50-35.

Saints senior Marco Cooper led at the half with 11 points. The team made 19-of-38 from the field (50 percent), compared to 32-percent shooting for the Warriors.

The second half belonged to the Saints, as well, but the Warriors threatened after going on a 9-0 run to pull within five points at 59-64. The Saints came back quickly to regain their double-digit lead. The game ended with a 24-point margin as the Saints won 105-81. This was the Saints' eighth time reaching the century mark and their fifth consecutive game reaching this milestone.

Robert Martinez was the Saints' top scorer with 18 points. Ricardo Zanini added 17 points. Josh Orta contributed 12 points, eight assists and four steals. Cooper, Virgil Cissoko and Jacob Palacios each finished with 11 points.

La Charleston Tumblin scored 26 points for Bacone. James Scott scored 12 points and added 11 rebounds. 

OLLU will return home to host the University of the Southwest on Saturday, Jan. 21. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. In 2009-2010, the Saints lost the first matchup against Southwest 85-89 and won the second game 85-70. In 2010-2011, the Saints won the first game in overtime 101-100 and lost the second game 96-97. The Saints beat Southwest in the conference quarterfinals 120-93. Southwest is currently 5-5 and 8-6 overall.