Basketball Teams Split at Lubbock Christian

LUBBOCK, Texas – With four of five starters in double figures and much-improved shooting, the USAO women’s basketball team secured an 85-73 win Saturday at Lubbock Christian. Meanwhile, the USAO men suffered a heartbreaking 64-62 loss to the Chaparrals at the Rip Griffin Center.

With their 12-point win, the Drover women improve to 7-17 overall and 2-11 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Drover men fall to 7-15 overall and 4-9 in the SAC standings. This week, USAO travels to Shawnee on Thursday for a 6 p.m. doubleheader at St. Gregory’s. On Saturday, the Drovers host Oklahoma Baptist in a 6 p.m. twin bill.

In the women’s game, USAO hit 45 percent from the field, including a much-improved 4-of-8 from 3-point range, in the first half. The Drovers held Lubbock Christian to 39 percent from the field and 4-of-11 from 3-point range. The Lady Chaparrals out shot the Drovers at the free throw line for the half, but USAO led 41-34 at halftime.

USAO continued its good shooting in the second half, connecting on 54 percent from the field and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Lubbock Christian improved it shooting slightly, but was held under 42 percent and 3-of-8 from 3-point range. The Drovers got better at the free throw line, hitting 10-of-12, as did the Lady Chaps at 16-of-20.

Four of USAO’s five starters finished in double figures, led by senior Christal Merriweather’s game-high 25 points and seven rebounds. Senior Karole Roberts tied her best output of the conference season with 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Senior Secrett Stubblefield scored 15 points, six rebounds, and a game-high six assists.

Junior Katie Sterling added 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Senior Kayla Lawrence finished with six points and three rebounds, while junior Christina Brown scored three points. Junior Nicole Sherman battled foul trouble to score a basket and grab six rebounds, and junior Elaine Solis also had two points.

For the game, USAO hit 49 percent (30-of-61) from the field, 47 percent (8-of-17) from 3-point range, and 71 percent (17-of-24) from the free throw line. The Drovers collected 37 rebounds, 14 assists, four steals, one block, and committed 12 turnovers.

Lubbock Christian (14-9, 9-5) also had four players in double figures, led by Candace Clenney with 18 points and five rebounds. Other Lady Chaps in double figures were Lauren Abbott with 13 points, and Lindsey Reeves and Val Wootan with 12 points each. Abbott also grabbed five rebounds in the loss.

In the men’s game, USAO came back from a 56-36 halftime deficit to nearly force overtime in an 84-82 loss. The Drovers forced the second tie of the game at 71-all with 5:49 left in regulation. The teams traded baskets in the closing minutes, but Lubbock Christian tied it at 82-82 on a 3-pointer with 1:15 left. 

USAO had a chance to go ahead in the final minute, but came up short, as Lubbock Christian’s Dustin Patterson hit a basket with :12 left for an 84-82 lead. The Drovers’ last-second desperation shot came up short. After a slow start, USAO turned things around in the second half, connecting on 61 percent from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range.

Senior Wayne Gibson led three Drovers in double figures with 22 points and six rebounds. Junior Wayne Walls had a season-high 20 points and two rebounds, while senior Tony Jimmerson added 13 points and three rebounds.

Sophomore Avery Stevenson hit two 3-pointers for eight points and two rebounds. Juniors Nate Foster and Romeil Perkins added seven points each. Senior Keith Miller finished with five points, three rebounds, and team-highs of six assists and two steals.

For the game, USAO hit 52 percent (31-of-60) from the field, 50 percent (7-of-14) from 3-point range, and 72 percent (13-of-18) from the free throw line. The Drovers collected 22 rebounds, 15 assists, five steals, one block, and committed a season-low six turnovers.

Lubbock Christian (16-8, 8-6) had five players in double figures, led by Brandon Jones with 24 points and eight rebounds. Jared Fears finished with 17 points and a game-high 10 assists. Dustin Patterson had 13 points, while James Horner scored 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Ronald Hughes also added 10 points for the Chaps.