Pantophlet and Allen Lead Drovers to Victory Against UNT Dallas

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (14-5, 9-4 SAC) got back in the win column with an 84-70 victory against the University of North Texas at Dallas (5-11, 4-9 SAC). With the win, USAO moved into a tie for third in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 4.0 games back of Langston University at the top. 

The Drovers got off to a bit of a slow start and trailed early on, but they bounced back and kept the score close for the rest of the first half. UNT Dallas was able to hold a slim 39-38 advantage going into the break. In the opening 20 minutes of action, the lead was exchanged 11 times, and the score was tied seven times. 

Following halftime, the Drovers took full control and dominated the second half, leading by as many as 17 and outscored the Trailblazers 46-31 in the final 20 minutes of the game. 

Both teams shot for the exact same field goal percentage, but USAO dominated the rebounding battle and frequently got to the free-throw line to knock down easy shots. USAO finished the game shooting 29-70 (.414) from the field, 8-22 (.364) from beyond the arc, and 18-24 (.750) from the free-throw line. In comparison, UNTD shot 29-70 (.414) from the field, 4-16 (.250) from deep, and 8-15 (.533) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers outrebounded the Trailblazers by a wide margin of 52-38, and 16 of USAO's rebounds came on the offensive end of the court, which led to 19 second chance points. Despite dominating the glass, UNT Dallas was able to narrowly outscore the Drovers in the paint 38-34.

USAO committed 10 turnovers, which led to seven points for UNTD. Meanwhile, the Trailblazers only fumbled the ball eight times, resulting in 10 points for the Drovers. USAO was whistled for 13 fouls, and the Trailblazers were called for 18 infractions.

The Drovers were led by a pair of massive performances from Rory Pantophlet and Cade Allen. Pantophlet nearly recorded an extremely rare 20-20 game, as he concluded with 20 points and 17 rebounds, resulting in his third double-double of the season. 

Allen contributed a season-high of 22 points on 9-14 shooting from the field, including 3-5 from deep. Allen has been incredible from beyond the arc this season, knocking down 53.1 percent of his three-point shots, which ranks No. 3 in the NAIA and No. 2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Jaden Harrell concluded with nine points, four rebounds, and a game-high of seven assists. Reggie Quezada finished with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists, followed by Logan Dolan and Manny Gatkek with six points each. 

Jayden Patcha closed with five points and three rebounds. Jaden Causwell scored three points and grabbed four rebounds, followed by Anthony Ray with two points and Tre Edwards with one. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Monday, January 29 as they travel to Fort Worth to face Texas Wesleyan University. The Women's game is scheduled to tip-off at 6:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 7:45 PM at the Sid Richardson Center.

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