Nwarie Puts Up Career Best in Tough Outing

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Oklahoma Baptist women's basketball team fell to Henderson State in the opening game of 2020, 84-73. OBU kept it close throughout the game, taking a lead after the first quarter, and trailing by just five going into the final period.
 
Senior Ugochinyere Nwarie put up a career-high 34 points, shooting 14-23 (60%) from the field. Nwarie also led the team with seven rebounds and recorded two blocks. McKenzie Cooper was the second leading scorer for the Bison putting up 13, including 3-3 from behind the arc. Charissa Price rounded out the top three scorers with 10 points on 3-4 shooting. Price also was 2-2 from three-point range.

As a team, the Bison finished the night shooting 28-55 (50.9%) from the field and 45.5% from behind the arc.
 
Nwarie and Jaylin Stapleton opened up the night for the Bison with a jump shot and free throw to give OBU an early 3-2 lead. The Reddies were able to answer back to take a 4-3 lead, then in the third minute of the game Nwarie put up her first of many baskets on the night to regain the lead. The Bison and Reddies then traded shots back and forth, with Price putting up a deep three-point buzzer beater to give OBU a 20-17 lead at the end of the first period.

The back and forth affair continued in the second quarter with a total of two ties and three lead changes. However, Henderson State was able to put together a 6-2 run in the final two minutes of the half to take a 39-35 lead into the break.
 
The Reddies came out firing in the third period with an 8-2 run and took a 10-point advantage, but the Bison were able to rally back and bring the margin back within two. Nwarie led the rally with eight points in less than three minutes. Henderson, however, did not flinch or surrender a lead, finishing the third with a five-point lead.

The Reddies opened up the final quarter with an 8-0 run to gain a game-high 13-point advantage. The Bison were once again able to rally back to bring it within five with less than five minutes to go. Unfortunately for OBU, Henderson State connected on three straight three-pointers to distance themselves and earn the 11-point win.
 
The Bison will look to bounce back as they continue their New Year's road trip as they travel across the street in Arkadelphia to take on Ouachita Baptist. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday inside Bill Vining Arena.
 
For complete coverage of OBU women's basketball, follow the team's official Twitter account (@OBU_WBBall).