Box Score
SHAWNEE, Okla. – Apparently, the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens are getting the hang of playing on the road.
Taking the floor for their third away game in five days, Wayland posted its highest point total in five years here Monday afternoon, cruising to a 108-82 Sooner Athletic Conference victory over St. Gregory's University for the Flying Queens' fourth win in a row.
"I thought we did a good job of coming out mentally prepared. That was big, because (playing three games on the road in five days) is tough to do for anybody," Flying Queens coach Alesha Robertson said.
Up by eight at halftime, Wayland (8-8, 5-2 SAC) outscored the Cavaliers (2-12, 1-7) by 18 points in the second half as the Flying Queens scored their most points in a game since a 117-19 win over Dallas Christian in 2009.
"We followed the game plan and executed really well," Robertson said.
Angeleigh Davis hit 11-of-14 field goals (79 percent) and netted 27 points, the third time in four games she's scored at least that many.
"She's a leader on this team, and she has to bring that every game," Robertson said.
Laura Castillo turned in one of her best performances of the season with 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds and seven assists. Castillo hit 3-of-7 from 3-point range and made all six of her free throws.
"Laura came out and played really well," Robertson said. "She did a good job directing traffic for us and also shot really well."
Three Flying Queens came off the bench to score in double-figures: Ashlee De La Cruz with 15, which tripled the previous season-high for the freshman, and Christie Mooney and Aubrey Pedigo with 12 each.
As a team, Wayland shot 58 percent (37-of-64) from the floor, including 10-of-23 (44 percent) from long range as five Flying Queens made 3-pointers. WBU was 24-of-32 (75 percent) from the free-throw line.
As has been the case during their win streak, Wayland held a significant rebounding edge, 47-26. The Flying Queens are the No. 3 rebounding team in the nation.
"They have to run for every second-chance shot (that opponents get)," Robertson said of the Flying Queens' rebounding prowess. "It's a lot easier to block out and rebound than it is to run."
Wayland never trailed in the contest, getting off to a hot start and never turning back.
"It could have been easy for us to underestimate them and not be ready to play, but they did a good job coming out ready," Robertson said.
Just eight minutes into the game that was rescheduled from before Christmas due to inclement weather, the Flying Queens already led by 13, 21-8. The Cavaliers rallied, though, tying the game at 40 before Wayland went on a 12-2 run to lead at halftime, 52-44.
Robertson said both Mooney and Stephanie Afunugo got into foul trouble early in the game.
"We had to sit them, but I thought the kids came off the bench and played really well," she said. "The first half we didn't play very good defense, but we picked it up the second half and also shot the ball better."
St. Greg's opened the second half with a 3-pointer to pull to within five, but not long after that Wayland began running away with it. The Flying Queens' first big push was a 9-0 run that saw Davis nail a 3-pointer and Pedigo a pair of field goals that made it a 17-point game, 70-53. Wayland's next scoring spurt featured 10 unanswered points, during which time De La Cruz and Shawna Monreal busted 3-pointers to give the Queens a commanding 86-61 edge.
Wayland's largest lead was 29 points before St. Greg's ended the scoring with a 3-pointer.
The win left Wayland tied with No. 19 John Brown (13-3, 5-2) for third place in the conference, behind No. 8 Oklahoma Baptist (14-2, 6-0) and No. 3 Oklahoma City (10-2, 7-1).
The Flying Queens play their next four games at home, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday against Southwestern Assemblies of God (9-9, 3-5).
"It's going to be a quick turnaround. That will make that Thursday game tough," Robertson said. "We'll rest our legs tomorrow and come back on Wednesday and prepare and try to get another win on Thursday. If they come out and play like they can, we should get another 'W.'"
After SAGU and after taking on Northwood (8-10, 1-7) at 1 p.m. Saturday, the Queens get a rematch with St. Greg's followed by a matchup with John Brown, all in Hutcherson Center.
