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Drovers Suffer SetbackAlmost a month off didn’t seem to hurt, but a depleted bench and mounting injuries kept the University of Science and Arts on the short end of Friday’s game against Tabor College. The 74-68 setback against the toughest opponent to date dropped USAO to 7-2 on the season as the team prepares for Sooner Athletic Conference play beginning on Thursday. Tabor (10-3 and ranked No. 9 in NAIA Division II) shuffled 13 players in and out of the lineup hoping to wear down a Drovers squad with only eight players suited up. Starting point guard Elaine Contreras wasn’t even in uniform and leading scorer Katie Sterling had to leave the game on two different occasions due to injury. USAO held the lead for most of the first half, and Sterling’s last-second bucket gave the Drovers a 35-33 lead at the half. In the second half, Tabor post players Emily Vogts and Donya Anderson continued to work inside as the two, along with a host of substitutes, kept USAO’s Nikki Yager and Nicole Sherman in constant foul trouble. Vogts and Anderson combined for 29 points. Although in foul trouble, Sherman was unstoppable at times on the boards as the senior posted a game-high nine rebounds and three assists to go along with five points. Lindsey Monroe led the Drovers with 16 points and added seven rebounds. Stephanie Russell, who injured her knee as time expired, hit three three-pointers to finish with 14 points, and Christina Brown scored 10. Sterling, who wasn’t able to finish the game due to injury, scored nine points, collected six rebounds and had 10 assists. The Drovers begin SAC play at John Brown on Thursday and will return home for a three-game home stand beginning Jan. 7. ### |