Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Men’s Streak Improves to Three Games

LANGSTON – You only need two words to describe the University of Science and Arts’ 77-74 win at Langston Thursday night. THOMAS WOODS.

With a 74-74 tie in the final seconds, Woods stunned the near record-setting Langston crowd with a game-winning three-point play. Woods finished with 41 points on 15-of-21 shooting, and the senior guard will go down in the annals of USAO’s proud basketball history with the school’s second highest individual point total in a game.

Only Victor Parish’s 51 points over Oklahoma Christian in 1993 ranks higher than Woods’ career-high at Langston. Parish’s 51 points still ranks as No. 1 all-time in the Sooner Athletic Conference. Woods needed his game-winning buck to pass Hayden Herrin’s 38 points against McKendree College in 2003.

The Drovers improved to 3-0 on the season after downing Langston twice in a week including spoiling the Lions’ season opener. USAO is now 21-7 against Langston since 1993 and have won the past four out of five matchups.

Thursday night’s win wasn’t easy, though. USAO found themselves down 42-36 at halftime, but the team roared back in the second half behind 55.6 percent shooting from the floor and 70 percent from the free throw line.

Tim Nelson hit 6-of-14 from the floor and finished with 14 points, three assists and three steals. Thursday marked the third straight double-figure scoring night for Nelson. Jorge Parra continued a similar streak. The 6-foot-8 center pulled down 11 rebounds, which marked his third straight double-figure rebounding performance.

Senior forward Darren Pore had his best scoring night as a Drover with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Pore also had six rebounds.

Other than waiting for another Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Week award, USAO prepares for an exhibition game beginning at 7 p.m. Monday at Northeastern State. This will be the second exhibition against NSU in two seasons. USAO returns to the USAO Fieldhouse on Nov. 17 against Central Baptist and Nov. 20 versus Southwestern Oklahoma State.

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