WEATHERFORD, Okla. - The Oklahoma Baptist women's basketball team trailed by five points at No. 21 Southwestern Oklahoma State, but a huge second half including a 27-10 fourth quarter gave SWOSU a 91-58 victory inside the Pioneer Cellular Event Center.
The Bison shot 23 of 59 (39%) from the field and 6 of 18 (33%) from deep. OBU got to the free throw only seven times and converted on six. The Bulldogs shot 36 of 80 (45%) from the field and 14 of 40 (35%) from deep while going a perfect 5 of 5 at the line. SWOSU forced 26 turnovers and held a 32-5 advantage in points off turnovers.
OBU answered the bell early on with SWOSU, holding serve early on and trading points with one of the best offenses in the nation. After a lay up from
Melissa Southard to open the scoring, Andreja Peciuriate connected on back-to-back 3-point plays to take an 8-7 lead. The Bison followed that with buckets from Peciuriate and
Jaylin Stapleton to take a 12-9 before a 10-0 run gave SWOSU a 19-12 lead.
The Bison held strong the rest of the way as Stapleton, Southard, and
Jacie Engler all added points to make it a 26-19 game at the end of one.
SWOSU came out strong in the second quarter and opened up a 38-21 lead at the five minute mark of the second quarter. However, OBU flipped a switch and closed the half on a 12-0 run including seven points from Price and points from Stapleton and Peciuriate to make it a 38-33 game at the break.
In the third quarter, OBU kept it a single digit game for most of the quarter until SWOSU exploded for an 11-3 run to close the half including a buzzer beater from 30 feet out from Tabor Beer to take a 16-point lead.
From there, OBU could never recover as SWOSU went to another level in the final quarter, pulling away in their home gym for the victory.
Stapleton returned from injury and was a difference maker, finishing with 13 points including five assists and three boards while Price added 13 points, six boards, two assists, and two blocks. Peciuriate matched a career-high with 13 points to go with six boards and two blocks while Southard scored six and pulled down nine boards.
Makyra Tramble was held in check for most of the contest by the Bison, but still finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds to go with two steals while Karly Gore and Beer each scored 15 with Beer adding six steals. Lauren Ramey added 14 points.
OBU will return to Shawnee on Thursday as they get ready for their second matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma State. Tip-off from the Noble Complex is set for 5:30 p.m. and will be carried on the Bison Sports Network.
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