Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (7-0, 2-0 SAC) extended their impressive win-streak to seven with a 77-72 triumph against Oklahoma City University (1-3, 0-2 SAC). Furthermore, the Drovers have emerged victorious in each of the last three meetings against the Stars, dating back to January 15, 2022.
So far this season, the Drovers have been dominant, winning by an average of 21.3 points per contest. On average, USAO is scoring 77.0 points per game, while holding opponents to only 55.7 points.
The 7-0 start to the season, trumps the previous best start in program history of 5-0, which occurred was in 2017-18, when Coach Matthews led the squad to a 29-6 record, as well as the SAC regular season championship.
The Drovers opened the game on a six-point run, but the Stars gained traction and held a 23-18 lead after 10 minutes of action. The second quarter was very evenly matched, with each team scoring 16 points, and Oklahoma City clung to a 39-34 lead at halftime.
Following the break, the Drovers began to cut into the deficit and tied the game at 52-52 going into the fourth quarter. USAO controlled the fourth quarter and outscored OCU 25-20 in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
At the conclusion of the contest, the Drovers went 27-63 (.429) from the field, and 6-22 (.273) from three-point range. In comparison, the Stars shot 27-53 (.509) from the field, and 8-17 (.471) from deep.
USAO dominated the rebounding battle by a margin of 44-31, additionally 18 of the Drovers' rebounds came at the offensive end of the court. OCU committed 16 turnovers, compared to USAO's 12.
On average, the Drovers are forcing opponents into committing 20.9 turnovers per contest this season.
Diake Berete led the Drovers with an electric performance, recording 23 points on 9-16 shooting from the field, and 3-6 from deep. Additionally, Berete contributed six rebounds, five assists, and a pair of steals.
Lainey Morrow (SO/Bridge Creek, OK) concluded with 18 points on 7-13 shooting from the field, in addition to nine rebounds and three steals. Five of Morrow's rebounds came on the offensive end of the court.
Trinitee Alexander (SO/Everman, TX) provided her usual spark off the bench, scoring 12 points on 3-4 shooting, along with five rebounds.
Jessica Palmer (JR/Anadarko, OK) contributed eight points, five assists, and a trio of steals. Zaria Dorsey (SR/Bronx, NY) and Brayanna Polk (SO/Del City, OK) each chipped in seven points. Dorsey added 10 rebounds and a pair of steals, while Polk added three rebounds and a pair of assists.
Tonijah Fortune (SO/Oklahoma City, OK) finished with two points, and Qadira Hamilton (SO/Toronto, Canada) added three assists.
Original source can be found here
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