Drover Rally Falls Short

CHICKASHA – Four players scored in double figures as the University of Science and Arts rallied from 11 points down, but a late turnover turned out to be costly in Thursday night’s 82-79 home loss to Oklahoma City.

The loss drops the Drovers to 6-8 overall and 2-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference with two of the top teams scheduled within a three-game road stretch that begins Saturday.

OCU (9-6, 3-1) ran up a double-digit lead in each half, but the Drovers fought back each time including the second-half rally helped by two of Marcus Hines’ three three-pointers.

Hines also set the tone to start the second half, which USAO seemed to control. Down six points at halftime, the senior scored USAO’s first seven points to cut the lead to three and force an OCU timeout. Hines finished the game with a team-high 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting.

The game really came down to two critical plays down the stretch. With a little over a minute remaining, Gerald Garner had an open six-footer to give USAO a 77-76 lead. His jumper off the glass rattled out, and OCU went to the other end where Dennis Pease converted inside and was fouled.

Pease hit his free throw to complete a devastating four-point swing that gave the Stars a 79-75 lead with 1:19 left.

With less than 30 seconds remaining, the Drovers had the ball down by four points. USAO tried to get the ball to Hines, but the OCU defense stiffened and forced the game-clinching turnover.

Garner had maybe his finest game as a Drover scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting including a dunk with seven seconds remaining to cut the OCU lead to two. Avery Stevenson also played well as a catalyst for the rally. He accounted for 16 points including four three pointers, four assists, six rebounds, three steals and one block.

J.J. Walsh also added 11 points to go along with 11 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal.

USAO will have to rebound quickly as the team travels to No. 4 Oklahoma Christian Saturday beginning at 8 p.m.

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