Despite climbing out of an eight-point deficit within the final minute, the Oklahoma Christian University women’s basketball team fell short of a comeback, as the University of Central Oklahoma handed the Lady Eagles their third loss of the season on Tuesday.
Only two Lady Eagles posted double-digit scores as the Bronchos edged past Oklahoma Christian to a 62-59 victory during the cross-town rivalry at the Nest.
Oklahoma Christian held Central Oklahoma to 38.5 percent shooting, hitting seven 3-pointers in the third quarter alone. Meanwhile, the Lady Eagles shot 38.9 percent, 21-54 and 21.7 percent, 5-23, from the 3-point range.
Senior forward McKenzie Stanford put up 20 points and 12 rebounds, both of which led the team. This was her first double-double of the season, and it moved into 20th place on Oklahoma Christian’s all-time scoring list with 1,217 points. Sophomore guard Addy Clift chipped in 15 points off the bench to help the Lady Eagles.
“As a team, our weekend in Wichita wasn’t very good,” Stanford said. “I think coming in we knew our focus would have to be on defense. We came out strong and even though they hit a few shots late I think our intensity was where it needed to be.”
In the second quarter, Oklahoma Christian scored the first 11 points to take a 28-20 lead, which they maintained going into halftime, with a score of 32-26. Central Oklahoma took the lead in the third quarter after making seven 3-pointers and taking a 49-44 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Clift made a 3-pointer and two free throws to fuel a 6-0 run to bring Oklahoma Christian back to even at 52 all, but the Bronchos scored the next eight points to take a 60-52-point lead with 1:06 left in the game.
With 52.7 seconds remaining, Stanford hit a pair of free throws and senior guard Kylee Hicks stole the ball and scored to bring the Lady Eagles within striking distance at 60-56. After a defensive stop, Clift hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 13 seconds left to make the Broncho lead by a single point.
However, the Lady Eagles needed a quick foul to stop the clock and get the ball back, and failed to get one until the clock was at 2.3 seconds remaining in the game. The Bronchos managed to hit both free throws and Oklahoma Christian was unable to get a shot off on the ensuing inbounds pass.
Hicks added six points, three rebounds, five assists and six steals in 33 minutes of play for the Lady Eagles.
Oklahoma Christian will face Cameron University in the Nest on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Statistics provided by the Oklahoma Christian University Sports Information office.
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