Box Score The No.23 Wayland Baptist Flying Queens pushed their winning streak to five games Thursday night in Hutcherson Center by defeating the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 76-50.
The Flying Queens (9-4, 4-1 SAC) pushed out to an early 23-8 lead to close the first quarter before the Drovers (1-8, 0-4) put together a 10-1 one to begin the second and pull within six points.
Coach
Alesha Robertson-Ellis called a crucial timeout to help her team get back in order.
"I told them to calm down," Robertson-Ellis said. "We make one mistake into two or three. It's easy to get rattled, but you have to come back and answer."
The Queens' answer was senior guard
Brianna Bogard, who finished the game with 20 points including 6-of-16 from the 3-point line, along with junior forward
Jade Jones, who ended with 12 points and seven rebounds. Bogard and Jones scored the final 11 points to close the half and give the Queens a 37-27 lead.
"We had some key players come in off the bench and knock down shots," Robertson-Ellis said. "Brianna came in and played very well for us."
After the break, the Queens took complete control of the game by holding the Drovers to 23 percent shooting.
With five minutes left in the game, Robertson-Ellis substituted in a familiar face to the Wayland athletic program. Four-time all-American volleyball player Shahala Hawkins checked in and immediately got involved in the action.
Much to the delight of the WBU fans, Hawkins, a senior, scored five points and snagged three boards in her first collegiate basketball game.
Robertson-Ellis is looking forward to using Hawkins more the rest of the season.
"She came in and played some good minutes today," the coach said. "She's athletic and I love (players who can rebound)."
The Queens wrap up the week at 1 p.m. Saturday against the Southwestern Christian Eagles (6-9, 3-2) in a game Robertson-Ellis feels will be another test. Southwestern Christian rolled over John Brown on Thursday, 55-38.
"They gave us fits last year," she said. "They have a few key players that we've got to stop. They are very capable of winning any ball game. We have to shoot well and do everything right on defense."
