Flying Queens come up short against USAO

Box Score   The bad news is the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens weren't able to present their coach with a milestone win Thursday night. The good news is they have two more chances to get it done in the next four days.
 
Taking on Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Hutcherson Center, the fifth-ranked Flying Queens were hoping to give Coach Alesha Ellis a late Christmas gift with what would have been her 100^th victory in just her fifth season at the helm. Instead, the Queens never got totally in rhythm and USAO went on a 19-4 second-half run to hand WBU its third loss in four games, 71-66.
 
It was a rare home loss for Wayland, which has been bettered in the Hutch only twice in its last 30 outings dating back to the end of the 2014-15 season. Rarer still was the win by USAO over the Flying Queens as the Drovers had lost 18 straight to WBU.
 
Competing in their first home game since Dec. 2, the Queens (10-3, 4-2 SAC) struggled offensively, shooting only 35 percent from the field, while USAO (13-2, 5-1), ranked the equivalent of No. 33 in the NAIA, posted an overall 43 shooting percentage.
 
Wayland fell behind by as many as eight, 13-5, in the first quarter, but by the second period had recovered and took a 7-point lead, 31-24. WBU was up at the half, 31-28.
 
The Flying Queens appeared to be settling in when they took a nine-point, 43-34 advantage. But the Drovers hit three 3-pointers during a 10-0 run that gave them a two-point lead. USAO was up 47-46 going into the fourth.
 
USAO, continuing to drive the paint and play aggressive defense, scored the first six of the fourth to complete its 19-4 run and assume a 53-46 lead. Wayland cut it to two on a couple of occasions and had it within three, 68-65, with 50 seconds to play.
 
A steal by Jada Riley gave the Flying Queens a chance to tie it, but WBU missed its next two shots. Deborah VanDijk made a free throw with 11 seconds to play to get the Queens to within three, but Shaylynn Bass, who led USAO with 19 points, made two free throws to close out the scoring.
 
Wayland struggled with turnovers in the fourth quarter, committing seven. The Queens ended with 19 giveaways while USAO had 20.
 
Maci Merket was the top scorer with 20 points. Debora VanDijk was close behind with 18, and Kambrey Blakey followed with 12. Morgan Bennett finished with 10 points and six assists before fouling out with 16 seconds left.
 
The Queens will face off against Mid-America Christian (9-5, 3-3), a 74-59 loser at Panhandle State on Thursday, in their next Sooner Athletic Conference game at home at 1 p.m. Saturday. WBU then hosts Panhandle State at 6 p.m. Monday.