USAO Falls to College of the Ozarks in SAC Tournament Quarterfinal

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Thursday afternoon, the No. 5 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (19-10, 14-8 SAC) opened the postseason with a tough 90-81 loss in the SAC Tournament quarterfinals against No. 4 seed College of the Ozarks (20-9, 16-6 SAC).

The teams traded baskets in the opening minutes, but College of the Ozarks possessed an 18-13 advantage midway through the first quarter. The Bobcats controlled a 27-19 lead going into the second quarter. Ozark proceeded to narrowly outscore USAO 20-19 in the second quarter to take a 47-38 cushion into the break.

Following halftime, the Drovers performed much better and pulled the score even at 67-67 with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter. USAO closed the frame strong and took a 72-69 advantage into the fourth. However, the USAO offense went cold in the fourth, with Ozarks outscoring the Drovers 21-9 in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

USAO's offense closed the game shooting 25-64(.391) from the field, 8-17 (.471) from beyond the arc, and 23-28 (.821) from the free-throw line. In comparison, Ozarks shot 30-59 (.508) from the field, 8-19 (.421) from deep, and 22-28 (.786) from the charity stripe.

The Drovers scored 32 points in the paint and hauled in 32 rebounds. In comparison, the Bobcats scored 36 points in the paint and grabbed 41 rebounds.

USAO committed 17 turnovers, resulting in 13 points for Ozarks, while the Bobcats fumbled the ball 22 times, leading to 24 points for the Drovers. USAO was whistled for 22 fouls, while Bobcats were called for 17 violations.

Five different Drovers scored in double digits, led by Jordyn Rollins and Ti'Alone Banks with 18 points each. Rollins also grabbed eight rebounds and stole the ball three time on defense, while Banks grabbed six rebounds and stole the ball four times.

Nyapar Mathot concluded with 17 points and eight rebounds, trailed by Evangelia Davlakou with 16 points, four assists, and three steals.

Chaniya Felton added 11 points, five rebounds, and five steals. Mya Brown scored once and dished out two assists.

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