Berete Scores 26 as Drovers Demolish Wayland Baptist

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (9-3, 5-1 SAC) opened 2024 with a dominant 96-60 triumph against Wayland Baptist University (9-3, 4-2 SAC). With the win, the Drovers improve to 10-29 against the Flying Queens all-time, dating back to January of 2007. Additionally, the 36-point win is the largest margin of victory for the Drovers against women's college basketball's winningest program of all time. 

The Drovers wasted no time taking the lead and they never relinquished it. USAO knocked down four consecutive three-pointers to claim a commanding 12-2 lead after only 92 seconds of action. The Drovers kept their foot on the gas and held a 30-15 lead at the end of the opening quarter.  

While WBU played better in the second half, the Drovers were still able to outscore the Flying Queens by a margin of 22-14 in the second quarter and USAO took a 52-29 lead into the break.  

Following halftime, it was more of the same with USAO outscoring WBU 26-16 and the Drovers took a 78-45 lead into the final 10 minutes of action. With starters able to get some rest in the closing minutes, WBU was able to cut into the lead late in the game, but the Drovers still outscored the Flying Queens 18-15 in the fourth. 

The USAO offense finished the game shooting 34-76 (.447) from the field, 13-36 (.361) from beyond the arc, and an impressive 15-18 (.833) from the free-throw line. In comparison, Wayland Baptist shot 21-56 (.375) from the field, 5-18 (.278) from deep, and 13-19 (.684) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers held a 41-39 advantage in the rebounding battle and outscored the Flying Queens in the paint 40-32. Additionally, USAO was great on the offensive glass, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds and converted those into 16 second chance points. 

USAO was also tenacious on defense, forcing WBU into committing 19 turnovers, which the Drovers turned into 26 points. The Drovers were whistled for 20 fouls, and the Flying Queens were called for 22 infractions. 

Diaka Berete delivered an awesome performance to lead USAO to victory, concluding with 26 points on 9-13 shooting from the field, including 6-10 shooting from deep. 

Brayanna Polk and Trinitee Alexander each contributed a doez points in the win. Polk added nine assists and five steals, while Alexander added five rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. 

Jordan Bloomfield concluded with 11 points on 4-7 shooting from the field, including 3-6 from beyond the arc. Devynn Harris knocked down a trio of threes to finish with nine points. 

Lainey Morrow had an off-night on offense and closed with seven points. However, Morrow was terrific on on the glass, hauling in a game-high of 11 rebounds. 

Mikayla Green recorded seven points in eight minutes off the bench. Tonijah Fortune dished out six assists, in addition to four points and four steals. Qadira Hamilton also closed with four points, followed by Crystal Ortiz and Alexia Corrales with two points each.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday (Jan. 6) as they host Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The women are scheduled to tip-off at 2:00 PM, followed by the men's game at 3:45 PM inside Drover Fieldhouse.

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