USAO women’s basketball (13-10, 11-8 SAC) were back on the court Thursday, Feb. 6 as they faced College of the Ozarks (15-8, 13-6 SAC). The Drovers looked to even the playing field as they had lost to the Ozarks earlier this season.
The Drovers started slow on offense only tallying 13 points in the first quarter. The Ozarks held an eight-point lead at the end of the first as they were able to capitalize on USAO’s offensive struggle and get easy baskets in transition.
In the second quarter, USAO found themselves down 13 points, but that would quickly change as the Drovers were able to get stops defensively and started putting points on the board. Senior Madison Hays led the lockdown defense for the Drovers, as she recorded a steal and a block. The bench for USAO had a major effect on the court as they put up 10 points. This effort was led by sophomore Devynn Harris who hit two three-point shots in the second quarter. USAO closed the first half on a 21-5 run, giving the Drovers the lead at halftime 34-31.
This game’s halftime show featured a half-court shooting event. USAO students were allowed to sign up for this event before the game and had the opportunity to win a $250 dollar gift card if they made a half-court shot. However, there were no students who made this shot, and no one received the gift card.
The Drovers continued to be efficient on offense in the second half as they shot just under 50% for the half, but it was the defense that stepped up in the second half. The Drovers held the lead the entire second half and held the Ozarks to 32% shooting from the field. The third quarter saw sophomore Caroliena Diaz come off the bench to steal the ball twice and record four rebounds. Despite the lower shooting percentage from the Ozarks, they weren’t far behind USAO as the third quarter ended 53-47.
The beginning of the fourth quarter saw USAO begin to take the game away from their competitor. Fouls from the Ozarks allowed USAO to further their lead. Junior Ashley Gonzales, junior Evangelia Davlakou, and Harris were almost perfect on free throws, with the trio combining for 10-12 made in this quarter. After halfway through the fourth quarter, the Drovers led by 11 points and cruised to a win of 75-63, avenging their loss against them earlier in the season.
Four of the Drovers scored in double digits, Davlakou led the way with 12 points and junior Hannah Harris followed with a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Every player contributed for the Drovers with D. Harris and Gonzalez contributing 10 points each coming from the bench.
USAO women’s basketball is back at home Saturday, February 8th, against the John Brown University Golden Eagles (12-11, 10-9 SAC) at 2 p.m. in the Drover Fieldhouse.
Preston Palm is a fourth-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
