Box Score MUSKOGEE, Okla. –
Shayla Monreal and
Stephanie Afunugo helped Wayland Baptist break open a close game in the fourth quarter as the 10
th-ranked Flying Queens snapped a three-game slide with a 67-56 Sooner Athletic Conference win over Bacone here Saturday afternoon.
Ahead 49-46 early in the fourth, the Flying Queens (3-3 overall, 1-1 SAC) went on a 9-0 run with Monreal and Afunugo combining for all nine points. Wayland's lead was never seriously threatened after that, and the Flying Queens were able to put away conference-newcomer Bacone (4-3, 1-1).
"Bacone is super athletic and quick, and that gave us some problems," Wayland coach
Alesha Robertson-Ellis said. "They're a team that can't be overlooked, which is what we've been telling our girls."
The Lady Warriors, coming off a 66-59 overtime win over Southwestern Assemblies of God on Thursday, led 14-12 after the first period. Wayland, which never trailed by more than four, pulled ahead and led at the half, 30-28.
It was tied at 33 when WBU scored eight straight points, including 3-pointers by Monreal and
Maci Merket, to begin to take control. The Queens led it 47-44 going into the fourth when they outscored the Lady Warriors, 20-12. Wayland's largest lead was 13 points.
Robertson-Ellis said the Queens had a tough time scoring, which made it difficult to establish any rhythm.
"We finally were able to knock down some shots in the fourth quarter, and that got us going," she said. "They found a way to win, and that's improvement."
Merket led the Flying Queens with 14 points, one off her season-best. Monreal, who hit 3-of-4 from 3-point range, and Afunugo added 11 points apiece, while
Brianna Bogard tacked on nine.
Wayland was hurt by 28 turnovers but outrebounded Bacone 40-32, with
Jade Jones pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds for the Queens. She also scored six points.
The Flying Queens shot 44 percent (24-of-55) from the field, including 6-of-14 (43 percent) from long range. Wayland hit 13-of-17 free throws (77 percent).
Bacone, which shot just 29 percent (19-of-65) from the floor and 56 percent (14-of-25) from the foul line, was led by Jasmine Flanagan with 14 points and Kim Scott with 11.
Wayland takes a four-game break from conference play with four roads games against Eastern New Mexico on Dec. 12, Texas Woman's on Dec. 15, McMurry on Dec. 18, and Angelo State on Dec. 19. The Flying Queens' next home game is Jan. 7 when they return to SAC action against St. Gregory's.
Robertson-Ellis said the Flying Queens have lots of work to do.
"We need people who show up every game, for the whole game. We're still looking for that group that can do that," she said. "We need players who bring it every game."
