USAO Opens Conference Play with a 34-Point Win Against OCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 SAC) hosted the conference-opener and earned an impressive 89-55 victory against Oklahoma City University (3-3, 0-2 SAC). The Drovers are 10-30 against the Stars in head-to-head matchups since January 2006, but USAO has won each of the last nine meetings since 2022.

The 4-0 record is USAO's best start to a season since 2022-23, when they began 11-0. 

The Stars and Drovers traded baskets early on and the score was knotted at 12-12 midway through the first quarter. The score remained tight down the stretch and USAO managed to take a slim 20-18 advantage into the second quarter. 

However, from that point on, it was all Drovers. USAO dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Stars 17-9 to take a 10-point advantage into the break (37-27).

Following halftime, both offenses were hot, but USAO found a way to outscore OCU 25-20 and took a 62-47 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game. The Drovers continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Stars 27-8, and led by as many as 37 prior to a couple of buckets in the final minute. 

USAO's offense closed the game shooting 37-70 (.529) from the field, 5-14 (.357) from beyond the arc, and 10-19 (.526) from the free-throw line. In comparison, OCU shot 18-62 (.290) from the field, 4-28 (.143) from deep, and 15-18 (.833) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers scored 62 points in the paint and hauled in 49 rebounds. In comparison, the Stars scored 26 points in the paint and grabbed only 26 rebounds. 

USAO committed 17 turnovers, which led to nine points for OCU. Meanwhile, the Stars fumbled the ball 18 times, resulting in 27 points for the Drovers.

USAO was whistled for 22 fouls, while OCU was called for 21 violations.

The Drovers used a well-balanced effort to overwhelm the Stars, with five different players scoring in double figures. Ti'Alone Banks led the way for USAO, scoring 18 points in only 23 minutes of action. Banks shot 8-11 from the field, grabbed three rebounds, dished out two assists, stole the ball once, and blocked a shot.

Evangelia Davlakou continued her impressive start to the season with 16 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. So far this season, Davlakou is averaging 20.3 points per game, which leads the conference.

Hannah Harris recorded her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Harris also distributed a season-high of six assists. She ranks third in the conference in rebounds per game (8.8) and third in field goal percentage (66.7).

Pashonnay Johnson concluded with 13 points and six rebounds, followed by Jordyn Rollins with 12 points and four rebounds. 

Nyapar Mathot was two points shy of a double-double, finishing with eight points and 10 rebounds. Amongst her peers in the SAC, Mathot ranks in a tie for the third most rebounds per game (8.8) and has the highest field goal percentage in the league (76.0).

Mya Brown added seven points, three rebounds and three assists. Trinity Humphrey finished with two points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. 

Through four games, USAO has the top offense in the Sooner Athletic Conference in terms of volume and efficiency. The Drovers are averaging 91.5 points per contest, while shooting 49.3 percent from the field, and 40.5 percent from three-point range, all of which lead the league. USAO's defense has also been superb, holding opponents to 29.1 percent from the field and 21.0 percent from deep, both being the best in the SAC.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to Brisco McPherson Court on Saturday, Nov. 22 as they host Southwestern Christian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse.   

Stay up to date on all USAO Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

Twitter/X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers