Box Score Box Score BETHANY, Okla. – The No. 22 Wayland Baptist Flying Queens battled down to the wire in their Sooner Athletic Conference opener here Thursday night before dispatching Southwestern Christian, 72-69.
The Flying Queens (5-1) were led early by twins Shawna and
Shayla Monreal and
Maci Merket. The three Queens scored 18 of WBU's first 22 points – Shawna with seven, Shayla with six and Merket with five.
"I expect that out of those girls," WBU coach
Alesha Robertson-Ellis said. "They stayed in control and did what it took to win."
Even with WBU's production, the Lady Eagles (7-3) held a narrow 23-22 lead after the opening quarter.
The second period was a near repeat of the first with both teams battling. Near the end of the half, WBU junior Gabby Gonzalez knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Flying Queens some space. Heading into intermission, Wayland was ahead, 42-38.
Gonzalez ended the game 3-of-4 from behind the arc for nine points.
"I'm very proud of Gabby," Robertson-Ellis said. "She had a great game."
In the third, the pressure continued to rise as the Queens had yet another close quarter. However, the Lady Eagles pulled ahead to take a 57-55 advantage heading into the final period.
As the final 10 minutes began, the Queens and Lady Eagles countered each others' baskets until the seven-minute mark. It was then that WBU went on a 10-2 run, not only evaporating a four-point deficit but snatching the lead, 68-64.
SCU had one last shot after Flying Queens freshman
Morgan Bennett missed her second free throw. Lady Eagle Andi McGill heaved a 3 at the buzzer, but it didn't drop.
"I'm overall proud of how the girls played and found a way to win," Robertson-Ellis said. "We did a nice job of protecting the ball and preserving the win."
Both teams shot 47 percent from the field, however, Wayland dominated from deep, hitting 52 percent (11-of-21) from the 3-point line. The Flying Queens fouled a whopping 27 times, accounting for 23 points.
Merket finished with a team-high 13 points and four assists, while the Monreals ended with 11 each.
Jade Jones notched seven points, and three other Flying Queens –Bennett,
Deborah VanDijk and
Nina Sato – finished with six.
The Flying Queens will stay in the Sooner State this weekend for an early conference showdown against No. 19 Oklahoma City at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Stars (7-1) defeated John Brown (6-4) in Arkansas on Thursday night, 75-62.
"It's a big one," Robertson-Ellis said. "I hope we can build on the shooting we had tonight. We have to execute on both sides of the floor."
