Oakland City, IN - After taking a 24-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter of play, the Lady Oaks looked like their layoff over Christmas break did them no harm, as they hosted the Bearcats of Brescia University in their first game back from a week-long layoff. However, their lead didn't last long, as BU responded by taking a 39-37 lead at the halftime buzzer.
Brescia outscored OCU 27-18 in the third quarter, but the Oaks fought back to earn a tie midway through the fourth period of play. After trading baskets down the stretch, the Oaks were unable to get over the hump, as the Bearcats made the foul shots in the closing minute of play, sending the game to the final score of 82-77 in favor of Brescia University.
Kiare Young came off the bench for OCU to score a game high 17 points, on 4-13 shooting, including 3-5 from three point range, while grabbing three steals.
Emma Lander, making her first start of the season, finished with 14 counters, followed by
Malia Schmittler, who had her sixth double-double of the year, scoring 13 points to go with a game high 10 rebounds. Tabby
Klem added 11 counters, while
Reanne Kietlinski added nine points and a game best six assists.
Cassidy Moss paced the Bearcats with 16 counters, going 7-13 from the field. Angel Jeffries went 4-4 from the floor, all from three point range, to score 12, while Princess Holloway added 11 counters, going 7-8 from the foul line, including 6-6 in the final minute.
As a team, OCU shot 23-61 (37.7%) from the field, including 6-22 (27.3%) from three point range. Brescia made 31-56 (55.4%) of their shot attempts, going 5-13 (38.5%) from beyond the arc. The Oaks went 25-29 (86.2%) from the foul line, while the Bearcats made 15-17 (88.2%) of their unguarded attempts.
For the game, the Oaks held a 37-29 lead in rebounding, including a 15-5 edge on the offensive glass. OCU handed out 17 assists, while turning the ball over 18 times, compared to 19 assists and 20 turnovers for the visitors.
Next up for the Lady Oaks is a weekend double header against Central Christian College of the Bible, out of
Moberly, Missouri, with games in the Johnson Center on Friday, January 3, at 7:00, followed by a 1:00 matchup on Saturday, January 4.
