PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist Flying Queens turned in a strong all-around performance Monday night, pulling away late to secure a 72–61 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Queens have now won three consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference matchups.
Wayland Baptist controlled the tempo from the opening tip, jumping out to a 20–12 lead after the first quarter and never relinquishing the advantage. The Flying Queens carried a 39–30 cushion into halftime behind balanced scoring and defensive pressure that limited OPSU's shooting opportunities.
Freshman guard
Cania Mitchell led the way with a dominant outing, pouring in a game-high 32 points on 11-of-17 shooting while going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Mitchell also contributed seven assists and three steals, setting the tone offensively and defensively for Wayland.
The Flying Queens extended the margin to double digits for much of the second half, using strong guard play and timely perimeter shooting to keep OPSU at bay.
Bella Dabbs added 12 points, knocking down three three-pointers, while
Peyton North chipped in seven points.
Jadyn Trusler and
Ksenija Djokic helped control the paint, combining for key rebounds and interior defense.
After OPSU made a push in the fourth quarter, Wayland responded with poise. Mitchell scored nine points in the final period, and the Flying Queens converted at the free throw line to seal the win. Wayland finished the game shooting 92.3 percent from the stripe, a critical factor down the stretch.
Defensively, the Flying Queens forced 21 turnovers and turned them into 28 points, disrupting OPSU's rhythm throughout the night. Wayland also held a 31–23 rebounding edge, limiting second-chance opportunities.
With the victory, Wayland Baptist improved to 8–9 overall and 7–5 in conference play, continuing to build momentum as the season progresses. The Flying Queens will look to carry that energy forward as they prepare for their next conference matchup when they host the Tigers of Central Christian College (Kan.) on Thursday, January 22
nd. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM.
