Box Score
Alesha Robertson called it "a pretty special stat."
A season-high eight Flying Queens scored in double figures as No. 22 Wayland Baptist rolled to a 104-46 Sooner Athletic Conference victory over University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma on Thursday night in Hutcherson Center.
The 46 points were the second-lowest total scored by a Wayland opponent this season, and the 58-point win was the largest margin of victory for the Queens (18-10, 15-4 SAC) since they beat National Christian by 82 points, 96-14, early last season.
"It can be easy to play down to another teams' level, but we kept our intensity up on the defensive side," Robertson said. "I'm proud of them for that."
It was the fifth time this season the Flying Queens, who outrebounded the Drovers (5-17, 4-15), 55-25, Â have surpassed the 100-point mark.
Stephanie Afunugo's 13 points led Wayland, which was up at halftime, 56-22, as 10 of Wayland's 11 players posted points in the first half. Also ending in double figures for the Flying Queens were
Laura Castillo and
Shawna Monreal with 12 points each,
LaTericka Anderson with 11, and
Angeleigh Davis,
Iesha Greer,
Aubrey Pedigo and
Ashlee De La Cruz with 10 each. Pedigo recorded a double-double by adding 11 rebounds.
"We were due for a good shooting night," Robertson said.
Wayland shot 56 percent (41-of-73) from the field, including 40 percent (8-of-20) from 3-point range. The Flying Queens hit 64 percent (14-of-22) from the free-throw line.
"Coming in we hadn't been shooting very well, so this was a good chance to get our confidence back up, especially with the second crew," Robertson said, adding that many times the key to fixing shooting woes is "all mental.
"If you're 99 percent sure that ball is going to go in, you're probably going to miss it. You have to be 100 percent confident the ball is going in," Robertson said. "I told a couple of them tonight to keep shooting it until that durn thing gets in the hole."
The lopsided win was in contrast to the Flying Queens' relatively close 75-66 victory over USAO when these teams met in Chickasha.
The Drovers, who suited up just eight players, were led by Amber Chaney's 20 points. USAO made just 2-of-14 (14 percent) of its 3-pointers.
After committing just three turnovers in the first half, Wayland ended with 15.
The Flying Queens wrap up the regular-season against Texas Wesleyan (14-14, 9-10) at 1 p.m. Saturday. Wayland defeated the Lady Rams when they met in Fort Worth, 87-80.
"They've gotten a lot better," Robertson said of the Lady Rams.
Texas Wesleyan leveled USAO on Tuesday in Chickasha, Okla., 98-40.
"Their record doesn't show how good they are," Robertson added. "When they've lost they haven't lost by many, so they're another good team that we have to watch out for.
"They're very athletic. They have some of the most athletic players in the conference. We have to make sure we contain those players.
"We better make sure we do what we do best and not go away from our game plan: push the ball and play good defense."
The Queens were in third place going into Thursday night's games, a game ahead of No. 16 John Brown (22-6, 14-5), which defeated Northwood on Thursday, 88-66. The Golden Eagles entertain Southwestern Assemblies of God (14-15, 8-11), a 70-46 winner over St. Gregory's, on Saturday. Assuming John Brown wins that one, Wayland must defeat Texas Wesleyan to earn the No. 3 seed for the SAC Tournament.
All 11 teams will participate in the conference tourney, to be hosted by Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, March 5-8. The top five teams in the regular-season earn first-round byes.
