#18 USAO Falls at the Buzzer at Wayland Baptist

PLAINVIEW, Texas. – Thursday evening, the No. 18 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (22-5, 16-5 SAC) suffered a heart-breaking 73-71 loss at the buzzer on the road at Wayland Baptist University (18-9, 14-7 SAC). 

With one game remaining in the regular season, the Drovers sit in third place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 3.0 games back of No. 17 ranked Texas Wesleyan University for the top spot.

The Drovers got off to a rough start and trailed 15-6 at the end of the first quarter. Science and Arts played much better in the second quarter, but Wayland was still able to outscore USAO by a margin of 18-13, and WBU took a 33-19 lead into the break.

Following halftime, the Drovers seemed determined to mount a comeback, outscoring the Flying Queens 21-16 in the third quarter, and trailed 49-40 going into the final 10 minutes of regulation.

USAO continued to rally early in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to one point with five minutes to play. However, WBU immediately used an 8-point run to lengthen the lead to 62-53. The Drovers battled back once more down the stretch, and used a three-pointer with 33 seconds to cut the deficit to 70-68. 

Wayland made a free-throw to extend the lead to three, but Diaka Berete was able to knock down a game-tying three-pointer with only eight seconds remaining in regulation. Following a timeout, WBU then rushed down the court and connected on the buzzer-beating jumper with no time remaining.

At the conclusion of the contest, the Drovers shot 23-56 (.411) from the field, and a blistering 9-17 (.529) from three-point range. In comparison, the Flying Queens went 25-54 (.463) from the field, and 7-22 (.318) from deep.

USAO held a 38-27 advantage in the rebounding battle, but the Drovers committed 18 turnovers, while WBU only turned the ball over 12 times. 

Furthermore, Science & Arts was whistled for 24 fouls, while Wayland Baptist was called for only 20 infractions. USAO went 16-19 (.842) from the free-throw line, and the Flying Queens converted on 16-26 (.615) from the charity stripe.

Four different Drovers scored in double figures, led by Diaka Berete's incredible offensive performance. Berete concluded with 22 points on 6-12 shooting from the field, 4-8 from beyond the arc, and 6-6 at the free-throw line. Tonijah Fortune contributed 11 points and a pair of rebounds, while Lainey Morrow closed with 11 points and eight rebounds. Zaria Dorsey added 10 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of action off the bench. 

Jessica Palmer delivered seven points and two steals, followed by Trinitee Alexander with six points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Brayanna Polk and Tahlia Sloan-Casey each finished with two points. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will head to Goodwell, Okla. for the regular season finale at Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Saturday, February 18. Tip-off at OPSU is scheduled for 2:00 PM

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