Corrales’ Heroics Helps USAO Overcome a 16-Point Fourth Quarter Deficit at Nelson

WAXAHACHIE, Texas – Monday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (4-1, 2-0 SAC) erased a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to earn a thrilling 61-60 victory on the road at Nelson University (1-5, 0-3 SAC). With the win, the Drovers have defeated the Lions in each of their last nine meetings since Nov. 2020.

The comeback victory is the second such type of win for the Drovers this season, following the exhilarating 17-point comeback victory against No. 2 ranked Providence (Mont.) in the season opener. 

On Monday, the teams traded baskets early in the opening quarter, but USAO got hot midway through the period and held a 12-6 advantage with five minutes to go. Nelson shot better late in the quarter and cut USAO's lead to only 16-13 going into the second quarter.

USAO's offense went ice cold in the second, and the Lions outscored the Drovers 17-8 to take a 30-24 lead into halftime.

Following the break, the struggles continued for USAO, and the Lions outscored the Drovers 22-15 to take a 52-39 lead into the final 10 minutes of action. USAO opened the fourth on a 6-3 run and only trailed by 10 points with five minutes to play in regulation.  The Drovers then used a 7-0 run to only trail 55-52 with 2:30 to play. 

Alexia Corrales knocked down a three-pointer with 39 seconds to play, tying the score at 59-59. After a Nelson free-throw put the Lions up by one, Corrales then hit a running jumper from outside the paint to give the Drovers a 61-60 lead with 1.7 seconds to play in the game. Nelson was unable to retaliate the USAO came away with the come from behind road-victory. In total, USAO outscored Nelson 22-8 in the fourth quarter.

USAO's offense closed the game shooting 24-52 (.462) from the field, 4-18 (.222) from beyond the arc, and 9-10 (.900) from the free-throw line. In comparison, Nelson shot 23-52 (.442) from the field, 9-26 (.346) from deep, and 5-10 (.500) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers scored 26 points in the paint and hauled in 30 rebounds. In comparison, the Lions scored 26 points in the paint and grabbed only 16 rebounds. 

USAO committed 22 turnovers, which led to 20 points for Nelson. Meanwhile, the Lions fumbled the ball 20 times, resulting in 18 points for the Drovers.

USAO was whistled for 12 fouls, while NU was called for 14 violations.

 Alexia Corrales led the Drovers in scoring for the second game in a row, tallying 11 points, after scoring a career-high of 19 points in the conference opener against Southwestern Christian last Thursday.

Devynn Harris contributed nine points and four rebounds. Madison Hays concluded with eight points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Evangelia Davalkou added eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. Ashley Rodriguez also tallied eight points in the win, along with a pair of rebounds and a pair of assists.

Caroliena Diaz scored six points and hauled in two rebounds, followed by Hannah Harris with four points, five rebounds and three assists.

Davielis Berroa added three points, while Jasmine Villarreal and Anna Kassim each scored two points.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers return home to Brisco McPherson Court on Saturday, November 23 as they host a double-header against Texas Wesleyan University. The women's game will tip-off at 2:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 3:45 PM inside Drover Fieldhouse. 

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