SHAWNEE – Senior
Andreja Peciuraite scored a career-high 23 points to help lead Oklahoma Baptist to a 73-55 win against Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday at the Noble Complex.
The victory improved OBU's record to 13-12 and 9-10 in the GAC. Those 13 wins are tied for the most ever in the DII era while the team's nine GAC victories are the most since becoming full participants in DII in 2017-18.
Along with Peciuraite,
Jill Leslie was all over the court notching 11 points, 11 rebounds, tied for a team-high four assists and added two steals. Additionally,
Mallory Lockhart dropped in 11 points.
The Bison also got solid contributions from the bench.
Melissa Southard registered six points and seven boards,
Kayla Highfill added eight points and
Sierra Copeland had five points and six rebounds. As a team, OBU's bench outscored UAM's 23-5 and the Bison frontcourt helped the team hold a massive 36-14 points in the paint lead.
First-quarter action by OBU was methodical as it attacked the paint. The Bison shot 9-of-17 (52.9%) and made seven of 11 two-point attempts. With that, the green and gold raced to a 25-7 end of first-quarter advantage after a steal and breakaway layup by
Kendall Parker.
In the second, UAM got a bit more traction making seven of 16 attempts (43.8%). However, that wouldn't be enough to catch the green and gold. The hosts stayed in front by double digits and took a 37-24 lead into the locker room after a three by Hayley Flores with 13 seconds left.
After the third quarter, in which the Bison kept their double-digit advantage, the Blossoms did connect on two 3-pointers from Flores and Bailey Harris to bring the tally to 56-47. That forced an OBU timeout. Following that break, an 11-2 run by the green and gold secured the victory.
The last of those points was delivered by Southard who made the tally 67-49 with 3:02 left.
Next on the schedule is the team's final home against Southern Arkansas on Saturday at 1 p.m.
