Lady Bison Absorb First Loss

January 17, 2008

The Lady Bison came one win short of tying the school record for the best statrt, losing to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 86-81 in overtime Thursday in Chickasha.

Drover Yesi Castillo scored 25, including six in overtime to hand No. 4 OBU their first loss of the season, now 15-1 on the year and 7-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

"We tried to keep it going, but we came up against a hungry USAO team," said Lady Bison head coach John McCullough. "We're going to get everybody's best shot," he said.

Heather Graham gave OBU a 75-73 lead, swishing a three-pointer with 1:12 left in regulation.

A steal by Je'antel Haynes led to a fast break layup by Castillo to tie the game. Graham tried another three at the buzzer, but bounced off the front of the rim.

Betsy Simmons scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading five Lady Bison in double figures. Jennifer Jupin followed with 18, Graham and Ashley Gamble both added 11 and Keely Tolin put in 10.

"I thought our kids played hard," McCullough said, "they just didn't play smart."

USAO hurt the Lady Bison by pulling down 17 offensive rebounds and hitting eight-of-17 from deep. In total, the Drovers outrebounded OBU 49-32.

"They just ate us alive on the boards," said McCullough.

The Drovers took a 43-40 halftime lead with the help of 50 percent long-range shooting and 10 offensive rebounds. All 18 of Jupin's points came in the first half, keeping the Lady Bison in the game. OBU went down by as many as nine points in the half and fought back to close the half.

OBU turned the ball over a season low eight times.

They return to action Saturday at 6 p.m., taking on No. 14 Southern Nazarene in the Noble Complex.