by USAO looked impressive while earning a 66-56 victory over visiting Southwestern Christian University to advance into the second round of the Sooner Athletic Conference women’s basketball tournament.
The Drovers will face John Brown University in a semifinal matchup Friday at 3 p.m. in Siloam Springs, Ark. The winner advances to the SAC Championship game scheduled for Saturday.
Rebecca Worthy (SR/Stillwater, OK) and Darian Hill (Mvskoke Creek) each scored 14 points to lead USAO against SCU. The Drovers, now 27-4, have won six straight and climbed to No. 14 in the latest NAIA rankings.
“I thought we started with great energy tonight,” USAO Coach Darrick Matthews said. “We were very active on the defensive end and were able to force 21 turnovers. I’m proud of my team for coming out ready and being alert against a good SCU team.”
The Drovers led from start-to-finish but were only ahead 42-36 with 7:14 to play in the game. Shaylynn Bass (SR/Atoka, OK) then connected from three-point range and Darian Hill scored on a fast-break layup to push the margin back into double figures at 47-36.
USAO’s biggest lead was 15 which they had on three different occasions. The last was on a free throw by Kenzie Bean (SO/Okemah, OK) to give USAO a 64-49 lead with 1:12 to play.
USAO split its two matches with John Brown this season with each team winning on its own home court. USAO upset JBU last year in the first round of the tournament beating the Golden Eagles on their home court.
“We will be ready and hungry to play against JBU,” Matthew said. “Both of our games have been battles and I’m not expecting this one to be any different.”
