Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Drovers Roll Rogers State

CHICKASHA – In impressive fashion the University of Science and Arts dismantled Rogers State in Saturday’s doubleheader. The USAO women had six players score in double-figures and rolled to an 88-74 win while Tim Nelson and Thomas Woods led the USAO men to a 70-60 win.

The wins were huge for each team as the women now find themselves alone in fifth place in the conference, and the men ended a dreaded six-game losing streak by beating one of the most talented teams in the conference.

In the women’s game, senior shooting guard Kartesha Rambo exploded for 17 first-half points most coming on four 3-pointers (and one four-point play) as the Drovers quickly jumped on the Hillcats. Senior Je’antel Haynes did most of the damage down the stretch as she hit ten straight free throws in the last minutes to help seal the win. Haynes, a 43 percent free throw shooter, hit 12-of-15 free throws for the game and finished with a game-high 18 points. The Metairie, La., native also had seven rebounds and four assists.

Yesi Castillo posted her third double-double in four games by scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Charite Lewis also posted 13 points, and Luanna Jose and Sasha Ferguson finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Jose earned her second consecutive start at point guard, and the Brazilian 3-of-4 from 3-point land, dished out two assists and came up with four steals.

The win improved USAO to 8-6 overall and 4-3 in the league. After a rough start to league play, the Drovers have rattled off three straight wins and look to Thursday night’s home matchup against fourth-ranked and undefeated Oklahoma Baptist 

The USAO were in danger of falling victim to the program’s first seven-game losing streak in recent memory, but junior guard Tim Nelson almost single-handedly crushed the Hillcats from the opening tip. Nelson, who was averaging 20 points in his last three games, dazzled the crowd with one of the most impressive displays of shooting in the storied history of USAO basketball.

The Houston native hit his first four 3-pointers and knocked down 8-of-9 from the floor and all three free-throw attempts on his way to 24 points. His hot start helped the Drovers opened up a 15-point lead midway through the first half.

Senior Thomas Woods broke out of an offensive funk with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting. It was Woods’ first 20-point game since scoring 41 points at Langston on Nov. 8. Woods was his dynamic self. He was hitting open shots, contested shots, driving to the basket, and he finished off the best win of the year with an emphatic dunk.

Senior forward DeAngelo Alexander scored in double-figures for the second straight game and posted his first double-double of the season. Alexander got off to a slow shooting start, but finished strong with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

The Drovers held the Hillcats to only 33 percent shooting for the game while USAO hit nearly 55 percent including nine 3-pointers. USAO improved to 6-7 overall and 2-5 in the league with sixth-ranked and league-leading Oklahoma Baptist coming to town Thursday night. The doubleheader begins at 6 p.m.

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