Bison Back On Track After Overtime Thriller

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Bison topple the Riverhawks in a feast week matchup. OBU has taken the previous two matchups with both wins coming with double digits, and tonight the Bison made it three consecutive wins over Northeastern with a 74-68 overtime thriller.
 
The Bison shot an overall 43.3% from the field and 27.3% from behind the arc. There was a total of 10 ties and 11 lead changes, and the Bison were able to score 23 off of Riverhawk turnovers. Kalifa Ford led the night with a 23-point double double. She posted a total of 10 rebounds while also chalking up a block and two steals. McKenzie Cooper was second on the team with 22 overall points and Ugochinyere Nwarie rounded out the top three with 16 points.
 
In the first half the Bison took control of the game starting with the tipoff. Nwarie and Cooper got the offense rolling taking an early three point lead off of a free throw and then a layup from Cooper. The Riverhawks kept the first half competitive bring the score within two a total of six times. However, the Bison held strong and took a 27-24 lead into the half.

Cooper went into the break leading the Bison with nine points with Ford coming in second with six and Nwarie rounding out the top three with five. The Bison shot a 33.4% from the field in the first half and never once lost the lead.
 
In the second half the Bison came out strong with 10-4 run. Cooper started the run on three point shot from Mikayla Shulanberger. However, the Riverhawks were able to go on a nine straight point tear to tie the game at 37 apiece. From then on, the game went back and forth with a total of eight ties and seven lead changes. In the final 30 seconds NSU was able to gain a two-point advantage. However, a foul was called on NSU, in the final second, which put Stapleton at the line to shoot two. She drained them both and sent the contest into overtime.
 
In the overtime period Jaylin Stapleton lead the charge opening up the scoring on a layup. The Bison took the early overtime lead and never looked back, the Riverhawks were not successful in ever getting the lead back. Ford put the game away with two free throws giving the Bison a two possession advantage in the final seconds. Stapleton, Ford, Cooper, and Nwarie were responsible for OBU's points in the overtime period giving the Bison a six-point win.  
 
Up next OBU looks to take on Dallas Christian in a home non-conference game. The match is set to tip off next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
 
For complete coverage of OBU women's basketball, follow the team's official Twitter account (@OBU_WBBall).