Hillsboro, Kan. - Heading into the Christmas Break the Tabor College Men's Basketball Team finished on a strong note as the Bluejays defeated Ottawa University Braves 78-67, Saturday night in Ottawa, Kan.

The win was Bluejays second KCAC victory of the season as Tabor improved to 2-2 in conference play with both wins coming on the road at Ottawa and at Sterling.

Tabor came out fast in the first half as the Bluejays scored the first nine points of the game on their way to a 14-3 run to start the game and eventually built a 30-16 lead with just 6:31 left in the half. Ottawa however would answer back cutting the lead to eight at 37-29 heading into the break thanks in large part to 14 first half turnovers for the Bluejays.

The Bluejays exploded in the second half as Tabor used a 24-8 run just over six minutes into the half to increase its lead to 53-37, a lead they would never relinquish despite committing 23 turnovers that the Braves turned into 23 points.

Tabor used a balanced offensive attack as 11 Bluejays scored in the game led by senior Kyle Kroeker (Hillsboro, Kan.) with 19 points two assists and two steals.

Junior Damon Dechant (Kit Carson, Colo.) also recorded his second double-double of the season with 17 points to go along with a game high 12 rebounds, while senior Dan Hann (Phoenix, Ariz.) added 13 points to go along with eight rebounds.

Tabor (2-2 KCAC, 4-7 Overall) will return to action Jan. 1 and 2 as the Bluejays will host their annual Tabor College Classic. The Bluejays will play NAIA division I opponent Lindenwood University on Friday at 8 p.m. and Haskell Indian Nations University on Saturday 7 p.m.