Box Score CHICKASHA, Okla. – It might not have been what head coach
Alesha Robertson-Ellis had in mind, but she'll take it. After a 37-point thumping in Wayland's first matchup with Science and Arts of Oklahoma, the Queens struggled to a 71-58 win over the Drovers on Saturday.
"I feel like we could have played a lot better today," Robertson-Ellis said, "but we found a way to win and that's what matters."
Wayland (11-8, 7-3) saw a different team than it did in mid-January. USAO (6-12, 3-7) stepped up its defense Saturday, forcing 24 turnovers and putting panic into the Queens, who are trying to make the jump into the top-25 this season after being after receiving votes in every poll thus far.
The Queens jumped out to a 20-point lead with six minutes left in the first half, but the Drovers took WBU out of its game plan and started to make a comeback.
Ebony Nelms hit two three-pointers and a layup in the Drovers next three possessions to cut Wayland's lead to 11 with four minutes remaining in the half.
After the Drovers forced one of the Queens' 24 turnovers, Ndeye Ngom made a layup to cut the deficit to single digits, 37-28. USAO kept up with the Queens in the final two minutes of the first half, but WBU still owned the lead and went into the half up, 40-30.
"We stuck to the game plan and pushed the ball and we were fine in the beginning of the game, but we got away from that towards the end of the half," Robertson-Ellis said.
"They have some real athletic girls on their team, and if you start playing to their game plan, you're going to be a wreck. Teams like that are scary because they can beat you on any given day."
The Queens' lackluster performance carried over to the second half, and USAO kept chipping away at Wayland's lead.
Eight and half minutes into the half, Corrynn Englerth converted on one of two free throws and forced a turnover on the other end that set up a jumper from Agota Jozan. The
Drovers came up with another defensive stop and came within five, 49-44, after a jumper from Jordan Cooper with 11:29 left to play.
Shawna Monreal made back-to-back layups for Wayland to get the Queen's lead back up to nine, but the Drovers made layups in their next two possessions to get within five once more.
Laura Castillo and
Stephanie Afunugo made three straight layups to give WBU some breathing room, then after a three from USAO, Afunugo made another layup and LaTericka made a pair of free throws to jump ahead for good.
"USAO was shooting the ball very well and they were making very athletic plays," Robertson-Ellis said. "They're defense was all over the place, too. We haven't faced pressure like that in a while."
The silver lining for the Queens on Saturday was that they found a way to win on an off night. Wayland finished the game strong to take home a 71-58, road win.
"I'm happy that we were still able to win when we weren't at our best, and knowing we can do what it takes to win in those type of games is nice," Robertson-Ellis said. "The other good thing I saw is that when we pushed the ball we did a better job of finishing.
"Stephanie also came in and played really well. They couldn't handle her. I've been working with her to try and get her shot percentage up, and she did a really nice job with that today."
Afunugo led the Queens with 15 points, shooting 50-percent from the floor. The remaining four starters in Wayland's lineup also ended in double figures, with
Iesha Greer scoring 13, Castillo and Anderson scoring 12, and Monreal putting in 10. Anderson had a double-double Saturday, hauling in a game-high 10 rebounds.
Nelms led all scorers with 18 points, while WyKeena King added 12 points for the Drovers.
The Queens next game is at 6 p.m. Monday against McMurry in Hutcherson Center. Wayland defeated the War Hawks, 83-61, in Abilene on Jan. 3.
