CHICKASHA, OK –Texas Wesleyan University Women's Basketball (4-5, 2-1 SAC) took a 34-26 lead into halftime, but couldn't find the buckets in the second half, clipped by the University of Science and Arts (4-4, 1-2 SAC) 68-51 Thursday night.
Texas Wesleyan was led by
Chrystal Ngawuchu's 13 points and seven rebounds as 2018's team leading scorer
Nicole Gleason was held to just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting. The Lady Rams were out-scored in the third frame 26-8, hitting just 3-of-15 from the floor.
The defense shined once again in the loss, extending the Lady Rams' streak of holding opponents to 70 or less to 11 games, the longest streak since the 14 straight games they held teams to 70 or under in the 2010-2011 season that resulted in a 28-6 record.
Coming into the night, USAO ranked third in the country in total rebound defense, allowing opponents just 29 rebounds per game. Coupled with their 44.6 percent field goal percentage (16th in the country), it is surprising the Lady Drovers have only compiled a 4-4 record. USAO lost its first two conference games to Wayland Baptist and Oklahoma Panhandle State by a combined eight points.
The Lady Rams actually fared well on the boards, hauling in 35 – including 12 off the offensive glass – but USAO ended up shooting 45.6 percent in the triumph. The Lady Rams turned the ball over just nine times, the second time in three games Texas Wesleyan has committed single-digit giveaways.
Jordan Brightwell scored eight points and scooped up six rebounds while
Evie Whorley scored 10 with five rebounds.
Kyla Grant added five points.
A second quarter spurt saw 6-0 and 7-0 runs to extend the lead to 29-19. Ngawuchu hit four straight free throws to start the former.
USAO scored the first 14 points of the third quarter, their spell being broken by an
Adrianna Davis jumper 5:35 into the frame. Texas Wesleyan cut the deficit to eight – 56-48 – with 6:01 to play on a Whorley free throw, but never could draw closer. The Lady Rams made all 10 of their free throws in the first half.
WHAT'S NEXT
Texas Wesleyan will face Mid-America Christian Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the comforts of the Sid Richardson Center, where the Lady Rams have won four-straight contests – dating back to last season. The Lady Evangels are 7-1, their lone loss a 101-82 defeat to Wayland Baptist, who moved from sixth to third in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll released December 4.
