Box Score LAS VEGAS – Wayland Baptist lost an early lead but scored 32 fourth-quarter points to rally to a 95-87 victory over Ottawa University (Kan.) on the first day of the Las Vegas Hoopla on Monday night.
"I was super proud of the fact we pulled it out," Wayland coach
Alesha Robertson-Ellis said. "It's a sign of a good team when you can pull out wins, especially with freshman. That's a good sign for our future."
Wayland (9-2), ranked the equivalent of 27
th in the NAIA, led 23-11 after the first quarter and was up at halftime, 45-33. But the Braves (8-7) pulled ahead in the third quarter when they outscored Wayland, 32-18.
"We just came back flat in the second half," Robertson-Ellis said.
Down 65-63 entering the fourth quarter, Wayland was able to regain control and outscored Ottawa in the final 10 minutes, 32-22.
Shawna Monreal hit 8-of-8 free throws and scored 15 points to lead the Flying Queens. She added four rebounds and four assists.
Kendrick Clark tacked on 14 points off the bench as the freshman nailed 4-of-4 3-pointers to continue her recent hot play.
"I think Kendrick had three 3s back-to-back, which got us back in the game," Robertson-Ellis said. "She was hot, and Shawna did a nice job of finding her."
Senior
Jade Jones added 13 points and seven rebounds plus three steals. Two other freshmen,
Morgan Bennett and
Deborah VanDijk, chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. Bennett, who was 4-of-4 from the foul line, also produced five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
"I was super proud of the freshmen," Robertson-Ellis said. "I feel like our young ones stepped up."
Ottawa also had five players in double-figures, led by Madi Stewart with a game-best 27 points.
The Braves out-rebounded Wayland 40-34 but turned the ball over 20 times compared to 14 for the Queens, who after hitting just 1-of-4 free throws in the first half sank 14-of-18 in the second.
"Ottawa was very tough. That's something we have to add to our game," Robertson-Ellis said. "We have to learn how to be tougher on the boards."
The coach said they also have to learn how to focus in an event such as the Las Vegas Hoopla.
"It's fun to be here but you have to focus. We have to do a better job of getting prepared for these games."
Wayland takes Tuesday off before meeting Northwestern Ohio (6-8) at noon (CST) Wednesday.
