Queens Wrap Up 2024-25 Regular Season with Massive Win Over #23 MACU

Plainview --- The 18^th ranked Flying Queens wrapped up the 2024-25 regular season with a massive 77-74 win on Senior Night over #23 Mid-America Christian. The Flying Queens end the regular season with an outstanding 24-3 overall record and 21-3 in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
 
Wayland Baptist opened tonight's game strong and jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first four minutes after Megan Nestor scored back-to-back buckets for the Queens. The Evangels battled back and tied the game up at 15-15, but Kaitlyn Jerden put the Queens back in front with her second three-pointer of the quarter to make it 18-15. After Jerden converted the final bucket of the quarter for the Queens, the Evangels responded with a three to make it 20-18, Queens, at the end of the first.
 
The two teams traded buckets across the first few minutes of the second quarter, but MACU gained some momentum after sinking two straight threes to go ahead 28-22. The Evangels held a six-point lead with just under four minutes until the half, but the Queens found a spark offensively after getting five quick points from Jaycee Freshour and Peyton North to make it 32-31, MACU. The Evangels carried a 36-35 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Evangels maintained their narrow lead over the Queens to begin the second half, but a layup from Linda Brice followed by a Jerden three-pointer gave the Queens a 45-44 lead and the momentum. The Queens couldn't build a lead larger than four points for the remainder of the third quarter and led 54-52 heading to the fourth.
 
MACU recaptured the lead after sinking an open three in the first couple of minutes of the fourth – taking a 57-56 lead over the Queens. Jerden answered right back with her fourth three-pointer of the night to make it 59-57, WBU. The three by Jerden sparked an 8-0 run for the Queens and ultimately put them ahead 64-57 at the midway point of the fourth.
 
The Queens lead evaporated after the Evangels hit a three to tie the game at 69-69, but Nestor made her presence felt down low with a tough bucket to make it 71-69, WBU, with just under two minutes remaining. With just under one minute left, Nestor once again played the hero and gave the Queens a 73-71 lead with another tough interior bucket. Nestor and Jerden combined to go 4 for 4 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the 77-74 win for the #18 Flying Queens on Senior Night.
 
"I thought our girls played extremely hard tonight," said Head Coach Jason Cooper referencing his teams' effort tonight. "I was proud of their effort and the way we stuck together as a team."
 
Coach Cooper continued, "It was a great cap off to a Meg's regular season. It was her 23^rd double-double of the year! Kaitlyn was tremendous. She's a big matchup problem for other teams because she can some from so many different places. I was really pleased with Teodora coming off the bench. She gave us so many great assists and excellent effort.
 
Jerden finished with 26 points, 3 of 5 shooting from three, seven assists, and two rebounds. Nestor scored 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting from the floor, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Brice added 10 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
The 18^th ranked Queens will have a week off before hosting the Opening Round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday, February 27^th. The Queens opponent and time of the game are yet to be determined.