Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) women’s basketball University of Science & Arts-Oklahoma
Despite the four point loss, head coach Tiffany Phillips believes this is one of the better second half efforts her team has shown, “Of course it hurts to lose like that because the fight that our team showed was amazing. I really am so proud of this group and even though the outcome isn’t what we wanted, we played a good game.”
The first half went solidly in USAO’s favor. In the first minute they hit back-to-back three pointers to start out the night. Despite holding the lead for the entire first half, the only time the Lady Drovers had a double digit lead was right before halftime when USAO’s Darian Hill hit a three with 0:35 left to play. USAO held the 47-37 lead at halftime.
At the end of the third quarter, SAGU’s Kaynee McCleod entered the game and hit two free throws. Next, Charity Page hit back-to-back baskets to bring SAGU within three points. With 1:09 in the third, USAO’s lead was cut to 55-52.
The Lady Drovers made a run to end the third quarter and to start the fourth. With 4:24 left in the game, USAO led 75-58. Their 17 point lead was the greatest of the night.
In the next four minutes, SAGU was able to go on an 18-0 run. With 0:43 left in the game, Laken Ward hit two free throws to give SAGU their first lead of the night, making the score 76-75. USAO’s Kenzie Bean hit a basket in the paint and was fouled in the process getting her to the line. She made the free throw, putting USAO up by two.
With one second on the clock, SAGU was driving to the basket and USAO’s defense forced a turnover. SAGU committed one more foul with 0:00.9 on the clock. Shaylynn Bass hit two final free throws in the game, topping SAGU 80-76.
“I am so proud of the effort to battle back from being down by 17 and just never giving up,” explains head coach Tiffany Phillips , “ Kaynee McCleod gave us a huge lift off the bench and she is the perfect example of why you never give up and you continue to work hard in practice because you never know when an opportunity will come.”
Five Lady Lions scored in double digits on Thursday. Charity Page had 16 points, Laken Ward added 15 points, Kayla Bise scored 12 points, Taylor Sims had 11 points and Alexis McAfee added 10 points. Page also had 21 rebounds and Ward added 14 rebounds. McAfee had four steals.
USAO’s Kenzie Bean scored 20 points.
The Lady Lions will have another home game on Saturday, February 11, 2017. They will host Southwestern Christian University. SCU is currently 12-11 overall and 4-9 in the Sooner Athletic Conference .
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
