GOODWELL, Okla. --- Wayland Baptist delivered its most complete performance of the season Tuesday night as they picked up win No. 1,800 in program history, using a stifling defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack to cruise past Oklahoma Panhandle State, 70–47, inside Anchor D Arena.
The Flying Queens (2–5, 2–1 SAC) controlled the game from the second quarter on, outscoring the Aggies 28–8 in the period and building a lead that swelled to 34 points early in the fourth. The victory marks Wayland's most decisive win of the season and its second straight Sooner Athletic Conference triumph.
Freshman forward
Brooklyn Birkenfeld provided an enormous spark, scoring a game-high 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting while adding five rebounds and two steals. Her activity around the rim helped ignite a first-half surge that turned a tight game into a runaway.
Freshman guard
Cania Mitchell was efficient and consistent, finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists while shooting 5-of-7 from the field.
Freshman guard
Bella Dabbs knocked down three 3-pointers and added nine points, five assists, and three steals, orchestrating the offense and helping Wayland capitalize on transition opportunities.
Leading 15–13 after the opening period, the Flying Queens erupted with a 28-point second quarter fueled by disciplined defense and sharp ball movement. Wayland forced OPSU into turnover after turnover—14 in the first half alone—turning many of those into fast-break points.
The Flying Queens shot 47% in the period, hit three triples, and went a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line. Meanwhile, OPSU managed only three made field goals.
By halftime, Wayland had built a commanding 43–21 lead.
Wayland's aggressive, disruptive defense may have been the story of the night. The Flying Queens racked up 12 steals, forced 18 turnovers, and limited OPSU to just 1-of-12 from beyond the arc.
In the critical second and third quarters, Wayland held the Aggies to a combined 16 points.
The Flying Queens saw contributions from up and down the roster:
Wayland's bench outscored OPSU's reserves 28–20, another factor in the lopsided victory.
OPSU pieced together a strong fourth quarter, but Wayland's lead was never threatened. The Flying Queens maintained composure, continued to defend, and sealed the win with disciplined execution on both ends.
With back-to-back conference wins and clear signs of progress on both ends of the floor, Wayland will look to carry this momentum into its upcoming stretch of SAC play.
The Flying Queens will return to the floor after the Thanksgiving break when they play host to the Lions of Nelson University on Thursday, December 4
th at 6:00 PM in the Hutcherson Center.
