Drovers Run Wild on Redmen

CHICKASHA – It was only an exhibition, but the University of Science and Arts put on a clinic for Saturday’s homecoming crowd beating Northeastern State 72-60 inside the USAO Fieldhouse.

Three Drovers scored in double figures including a game-high 22 points from senior guard Avery Stevenson on 8-of-11 shooting and three 3-pointers. Stan Bolden and newcomer Thomas Woods scored 14 points each. Bolden hit 6-of-8 from the field – mostly in the second half.

DeAngelo Alexander and Dalane Finley dominated the paint against the bigger and taller NSU front line. Alexander hit 4-of-5 from the floor for eight points and grabbed nine rebounds. Finley added five points and four rebounds and sparked the USAO transition game with blocks and steals.

With three 3-pointers from Stevenson and one from Woods, USAO jumped out to a 19-7 lead just five minutes into the game. NSU chipped away at the lead and eventually took a 38-36 lead into halftime while the Drovers experimented with their lineup.

In the second half, USAO quickly erased a four-point deficit and took the lead. The Drover defense only surrendered two field goals during an eight minute stretch right out of halftime and only gave up two points during a five minute stretch late in the game leading to a 68-57 lead with 3:30 remaining.

NSU’s Tyree Hardge hit a 3-pointer to pull the visitors to within eight points with 3:08 left, but Stevenson and Bolden responded with buckets to ice the win.

Although the 12-point win won’t count officially, it should build confidence for a young Drover team that will face six NCAA Division II opponents before the brutally tough Sooner Athletic Conference season starts. The Drovers are back home at 7 p.m. Saturday against Central Oklahoma.

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