Box Score Oklahoma City –
Peyton North goes for a career-high 19 points and
Kaitlyn Jerden adds 18 points as the Flying Queens knocked off the Stars of Oklahoma City University, 77-52.
Wayland Baptist (9-1, 6-1 SAC) jumped all over Oklahoma City to begin this afternoon's contest, opening up a 15-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game after seven quick points from sophomore guard
Peyton North.
North converted another fast-break layup with just over two minutes left in the quarter for her ninth points of the frame to give the Queens a 17-8 lead. The Stars battled back to make it 17-13 at the end of the first quarter in favor of the Flying Queens.
The Stars opened the second quarter aggressively and tied the scoring at 17-17, but the Queens answered with a 12-0 run that was started by senior guard
Emily Sigala scoring five straight points followed by five straight points from North to give WBU a 29-17 lead.
Kaitlyn Jerden capped off the second quarter for the Queens by drilling an open three to take a 38-25 lead into the halftime break.
The Queens continued their strong play into the third quarter as they scored the first five points of the frame after another Jerden three-pointer followed by a beautiful layup from junior
Teodora Popovic to make it 43-25 Queens. The Queens later pushed their lead to 47-31 after junior
Megan Nestor scored a tough bucket to continue the Queens' momentum push.
Jerden and senior guard
Linda Brice knocked down two jumpers down the stretch of the third quarter to give the Queens a 57-36 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
Jerden fueled the Queens at the beginning of the fourth quarter by scoring their first six points via a three-pointer and and-one, giving the Queens a 63-38 lead at the midway point of the fourth quarter. The Queens continued their strong play throughout the remainder of the fourth and earned a 77-52 win over the Stars to get back in the win column.
Head Coach
Jason Cooper spoke about his team's performance this afternoon saying, "All around great team effort. We had some people step up today. Respond to the challenge after a tough loss Thursday."
Coach Cooper continued, "
Peyton North was a beast! Career high in points and minutes, and just an all-around great effort. Tenacious on defense and three big assists. I'm very proud of how she stepped up. The points were awesome of course, but all the other stuff she did.. it was a game-changing performance"
North went for a career-high 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 33 minutes of play. Jerden added 18 points, six rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Sigala went for 13 points 5-9 shooting from the floor, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Brice finished with 11 points on 5-10 shooting from the field, seven rebounds, and an assist in 17 minutes off the bench.
Coach Cooper highlighted a few other key performers saying, "Kaitlyn showed tremendous toughness. Unbelievable leadership and just mental toughness at the next level. So thankful for her heart and spirit."
Coach Cooper continued, "Emily had one of her best games of the year today. She is the unsung hero of many games. Today she got us focused when we got off track on both ends of the floor."
The Queens will take the floor again on Thursday, December 12
th when they take on the Rams of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
