In a one-point win over Eastern New Mexico University Dec. 17, senior Addy Clift led the way for the Oklahoma Christian University women’s basketball team with 44 points.
Clift’s 44 points broke Oklahoma Christian’s single-game scoring record, previously set at 43 points in 1994-95. She also broke the Heartland Conference single-game scoring record, which Clift set last season with 42 points against Emporia State University.
On her way to 44 points, Clift hit eight 3-pointers, securing the No. 1 spot on Oklahoma Christian’s record of career-made 3-pointers at 273. Clift passed Katie Fariss from 2003-07 who previously held the No. 1 spot with 268.
Before the game, Clift said breaking records does not concern her before games. She just goes out and plays her best.
“You never really know what will happen out there,” Clift said. “I get nervous before every game and know that all things are possible out there. When I break a record, I am normally surprised, but I also know I have worked very hard and put in a lot of time to be able to touch a record. I am always very thankful and give all the glory to God no matter what.”
In the win over Eastern New Mexico, Clift went 8-of-15 from beyond the arc, 12-of-25 from the field and a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line. She said throughout the entire game, she only paid attention to the scoreboard.
“I honestly wasn’t thinking about anything,” Clift said. “I was just happy to be out there. The win means more to me. That was a great win for all of us.”
Clift started playing basketball at Oklahoma Christian as a freshman in 2015, after coming to Cage Camp and being recruited by Head Coach Stephanie Findley. She said Findley has helped her become, not only a great shooter, but a better all-around player.
“I have known Coach Findley for a long time,” Clift said. “I started coming to Cage Camp when I was in the fourth grade, so I feel she and her camps have helped me grow into the player I am today. I learned how to shoot at Cage Camp and from my mom, so I have been very thankful for that. Coach Findley also takes time when I get in a slump or am not playing the best to encourage me. I trust Coach Findley and I know she trusts me, too.”
After her freshman season, Clift was named the Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year. She also received All-Conference honors during her sophomore and junior seasons. At the close of her junior season, Clift also received honorable mention on the Division II All-American list. As Clift plays in her final season as a Lady Eagle, she said she has not been pressured by the finality and just wants to enjoy her last year.
“I have always had some type of goal, but at the same time I don’t like to really think about those things too much because it can mess with your head,” Clift said. “I just told myself what I have told myself in the past and just to have faith and enjoy it. My goal is for our team to win the conference tournament and advance on. I also want us to win more games in conference than we ever have.”
As she breaks records and continues to pull in more conference and school accolades, she said her main motivation comes from her faith and her family.
“I feel like God has blessed me, so He is constantly motivating me, not just in basketball, but in my life,” Clift said. “If I didn’t have Him, I would be very lost, and my relationship with Him is the most important thing to me in my life, so that is motivating for me. My family motivates me. My mom and dad have always helped me, and I would not be able to do anything without them with me. My parents are very selfless and have always put my sister and I first. My friends and teammates also help motivate me.”
Although Clift will not officially graduate until December, she said her plans after graduation include seeking a job and also trying to play basketball.
“I am an early childhood education major, so I will come back an extra semester to do my student teaching in Edmond, and then I will graduate in December,” Clift said. “After that, I will be looking for a job. However, before I commit to one for sure, I don’t feel like I will be ready to be done with basketball. In fact, I know I won’t be. I have thought about it a lot and would like to go play somewhere else before I begin teaching. I feel like I am young enough to keep playing, so I would like to do that if that is God’s plan for me.”
Clift and the Lady Eagles play their next game Saturday in Austin, Texas, against St. Edwards University at 1 p.m.
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