Late Basket Sinks USAO on the Road at WBU

PLAINVIEW, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-8, 12-6 SAC) suffered a heartbreaking 72-70 loss on the road at Wayland Baptist University (19-5, 14-4 SAC). With the loss, USAO moves into a tie for fourth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 6.0 games back of John Brown University at the top, with four games remaining in the regular season.

Both teams traded baskets early in the contest, but USAO was able to hold a slim 9-8 edge midway through the first quarter. Both offenses stayed hot, but USAO managed to maintain a one-point lead (16-15) going into the second quarter.

The offenses continued to go back and forth in the second quarter, but WBU was able to barely outscore USAO 19-18 in the quarter and the game was tied at 34-34 going into the break. 

Following halftime, the score remained tight until the end when USAO was able to claim a three-point lead (53-50) going into the fourth quarter. WBU used a hot start to fight back and claim a 61-57 lead midway through the fourth. USAO answered with a run of their own and the score was knotted at 70 in the final minute, when WBU scored on a layup with three seconds remaining to give the Flying Queens a 72-70 a lead.

At the conclusion of the contest, USAO only shot 28-81 (.346) from the field, 6-26 (.231) from beyond the arc, and 8-12 (.667) from the free-throw line. In comparison, WBU shot 26-62 (.419) from the field, 5-19 (.263) from deep, and 15-19 (.789) from the charity stripe. 

The Flying Queens outrebounded the Drovers by a margin of 42-37 and both teams scored 32 points in the paint. 

USAO committed 14 turnovers, which led to 14 points for WBU. Meanwhile, the Flying Queens fumbled the ball 18 times, which resulted in 15 points for the Drovers. USAO was whistled for 19 fouls, and WBU committed 15 infractions.

 Crystal Ortiz led the way for USAO, contributing 20 points on 8-15 shooting from the field, including 4-9 from deep. Ortiz also hauled in four rebounds.

Lainey Morrow followed closely behind with 18 points, eight rebounds, and a pair of steals. Diaka Berete added nine points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Tonijah Fortune finished with eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Brayanna Polk tallied six points, four rebounds, and a pair of steals. Jordan Bloomfield, Devynn Harris, and Trinitee Alexander each closed with three points. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to Brisco McPherson Court for a double-header against John Brown University on Thursday, February 15 for USAO Cornerstone Partner Appreciation Night. The women's game is scheduled to tip-off at 6:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 7:45 PM. 

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