PLAINVIEW --- The Wayland Baptist Flying Queens delivered a thrilling performance on Saturday afternoon, edging John Brown University 81–75 in overtime.
After a slow start in which the Queens trailed 19–13 after the first quarter, Wayland Baptist settled in and began to find its rhythm. The Flying Queens closed the gap in the second quarter, outscoring John Brown 18–17 to head into halftime down just five, 36–31.
The momentum shifted in the third quarter as Wayland Baptist came out with renewed energy on both ends of the floor. Behind strong interior play and efficient shooting, the Flying Queens posted 22 points in the period to take their first lead of the game.
Cania Mitchell and
Iliana Hernandez sparked the run, helping Wayland turn a halftime deficit into a narrow advantage heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to pull away. The Golden Eagles answered every Wayland run, and the contest was tied at 69–69 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Wayland Baptist rose to the occasion. The Flying Queens controlled the tempo, attacked the basket, and capitalized at the free-throw line.
Jadyn Trusler knocked down a crucial three-pointer, while
Brooklyn Birkenfeld and
Cania Mitchell converted key free throws to seal the victory. Wayland outscored John Brown 12–6 in overtime to secure the win.
Mitchell led the way with a dominant all-around performance, finishing with 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Birkenfeld provided a major boost off the bench, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Hernandez and Trusler each added 11 points, while
Zalika Stevens chipped in seven points and four rebounds.
Wayland Baptist shot 46.9 percent from the field and outscored John Brown 38–30 in the paint, showcasing their ability to attack inside and finish through contact. The Flying Queens also benefited from strong bench production, outscoring the Golden Eagles 23–5 in reserve points.
Defensively, Wayland forced 16 turnovers and turned them into 16 points, a key factor in swinging momentum during the second half and overtime.
With the overtime victory, Wayland Baptist improved to 11–11 overall and 10–7 in conference play. The Flying Queens will face a tough test on Monday, February 9
th, when they host the
RV Langston at 6:00 PM in the Hutcherson Center.
