Despite a late third-quarter rally, a first half which saw the Oklahoma Christian University shooting 25.7 percent proved fatal as the Lady Eagles fell to Southern Nazarene University on Tuesday night.
After hitting three 3-point shots in the first five minutes of the game, Southern Nazarene led 20-12 at the end of the first quarter and expanded the lead to 39-23 at halftime. The Lady Eagles shot 8-30 from the field during the first half and 2-6 from the 3-point line in the 81-66 loss in Bethany, OK.
“We have a pretty loaded team and when we get all of the pieces working together, we can be successful,” senior forward Sarah Parker said. “Tuesday’s game did not feel too good, but it’s not the end of the season. We just need to be willing to fight for coach like she fights for us.”
Oklahoma Christian found themselves within nine points of the Crimson Storm with 4:50 left in the game, after an 11-2 run to end the third quarter, but Southern Nazarene rebuilt the lead going 8-8 from the free-throw line to claim the victory.
Parker, the reigning Heartland Conference Player of the Week, fell short of the third consecutive game with double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds. Senior McKenzie Stanford supplied 14 points and eight rebounds for the Lady Eagles and sophomore Addy Clift added 13 points.
“Getting Player of the Week was definitely a God thing and I could not have done it without my teammates,” Parker said. “We had two really great games last week and that is what we need to remember going forward.”
The Crimson Storm outrebounded the Lady Eagles 45-32 despite Oklahoma Christian forcing 21 turnovers. The Lady Eagles shot 15-35 from the field during the second half and went 2-10 from behind the 3-point arc.
The Oklahoma Christian bench supplied six points for the Lady Eagles, with the team scoring 10 points off turnovers, eight fast break points and 12 second chance points.
The Lady Eagles will travel to Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday to face the Rangers at 6 p.m.
Statistics provided by the Oklahoma Christian University Sports Information office.
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