Box Score Box Score LAS VEGAS – In their final outing of 2016 at the Las Vegas Hoopla, the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens put together one of their best all-around performances of the season as they defeated the University of Northwestern Ohio here Wednesday afternoon, 82-50.
"We played well on both ends," WBU coach
Alesha Robertson-Ellis said. "I think we played together better today than we have ever."
Shawna Monreal scored a season-high 17 points, all of which came in the first half when the Flying Queens (10-2) built a 46-28 lead.
"She was unstoppable. She played real well," Robertson-Ellis said of Monreal, who was 4-for-5 from the 3-point line to lead Wayland's impressive 11-of-23 effort (47 percent) from long range. "Today was one of our better shooting days."
Wayland shot 53 percent overall from the field and 85 percent (11-of-13) from the free-throw line.
Four others scored in double figures, including freshmen
Deborah VanDijk and
Kendrick Clark with 13 points each.
Maci Merket added 12 points and freshman
Kelea Pool 10 for her first collegiate double-figure performance.
Although Wayland led 21-11 after the first quarter and held a comfortable 18-point halftime lead over the Racers (6-10), Robertson-Ellis wanted to make sure the Flying Queens didn't let up. That's what happened in the team's Monday game against Ottawa, Kan., which they led at halftime but had to rally in the fourth quarter to win, 95-87.
"We needed to make sure we stayed focused for that third quarter," Robertson-Ellis said.
They did, outscoring the Racers, 23-7, to assume a commanding 69-35 edge.
"I didn't know about this match-up. (Northwestern Ohio) is super athletic. They're a very good rebounding team, but we did much better in that area today," Robertson-Ellis said.
Jade Jones' seven rebounds led the Flying Queens.
Robertson-Ellis was happy with her team's effort on both ends of the floor.
"We were moving the ball and finding the open player, and we took pride on the defensive end. Any time we can hold a team to 50 or below, it's good."
It was the second time this season Wayland has done that, and the seventh time in 12 games they've allowed 60 or fewer.
The Flying Queens, ranked the equivalent of 27
th in the NAIA, return to Sooner Athletic Conference action in their next outing at 6 p.m. Jan. 5 at home against Bacone (3-6, 1-1). WBU is also 1-1 in SAC play, having beaten Southwestern Christian but lost to now No. 9 Oklahoma City.
Robertson-Ellis said the team will take a week break.
"We're looking forward to the time off, but in a way I hate it because we're coming off one of our best games."
