USAO women’s basketball (14-10, 12-8 SAC) played with confidence on both ends of the floor as they got the win over John Brown University (JBU) (12-12, 10-10 SAC). With Saturday’s win, USAO now stands sixth in the SAC standings.
The first quarter saw both teams go back and forth offensively. Junior Hannah Harris led the team in points for the first quarter, putting up five points, two rebounds, and an assist. JBU held an early three-point lead, but USAO’s offense got to work and outscored the Eagles by the end of the first quarter 15-13.
Quarter two saw USAO struggle to score early, but six points from senior Alexia Corrales off the bench gave the Drover women some much-needed energy. Senior Madison Hays was well-balanced in her play with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal for the Drovers. USAO would finish the quarter and go into halftime leading 32-28.
Physical defense in the third quarter helped USAO keep their lead after halftime. USAO limited JBU to making only 25% of their shots in the third. Junior Evangelia Davlakou continued playing well on offense, hitting three jump shots and dishing two assists.
As the fourth quarter was underway, the Drover women continued to play hard defense, limiting JBU’s opportunities to score. USAO held the Eagles to only two jump shots out of 14 attempts. Their stout defense and effective offense throughout the game gave USAO the victory 57-49.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Drovers had three players score in double digits. Davlakou led the team by scoring 19 points as well as dishing four assists and grabbing four rebounds. Harris had 12 points along with 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Finally, junior Davielis Berroa scored 10 points, including two three-pointers, without missing a shot.
USAO led for a majority of the game with their biggest lead at 15. When the Drovers get into a rhythm, Harris says that they are a hard group to shut down. Harris also gave kudos to Davlakou and her ability to score as she is averaging a team high 14.5 points per game.
“When we get going and the ball is moving, we’re hard to guard. I feel like we have good inside scoring, good perimeter shots, and a point guard who can get a bucket whenever she wants,” said Harris. “When it clicks, it’s hard to stop us.”
With only four conference games remaining, the Drover women are on track to make the SAC post-season tournament. They are currently sixth in the SAC and if they make the tournament, they will travel for the opening round Feb. 27.
As for how she thinks USAO will fare in the tournament, Harris believes that no matter who their opponent is, they have the ability to win.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position where we have a good chance of coming out of the first round with a win. Regardless of where we go, I know that whoever we face we’re able to come out with a win,” said Harris.
USAO’s next game is Feb. 13 at home against Mid-America Christian University (MACU) (19-4 15-4 SAC). Starting at 6 p.m., this will be USAO’s last home game of the season as well as senior night.
Matthew Yokum is a third-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
