The Oakland City University women's basketball team carried a record of 13-7 into the 2019 National Christian College Athletic Association Mideast Regional tournament, facing Hiwassee College, entering with a 22-3 mark. OCU took an early lead, holding a 41-37 halftime advantage. The Oaks made free throws down the stretch, holding on to win 84-75.
After opening a 25-18 advantage at the end of the first period, OCU was outscored 19-16 in the second frame, and 15-13 in the third quarter. But the Oaks found their offensive rhythm again in the final period of play, winning the final quarter 30-23, to advance to the regional championship.
Senior Aricka Prentice led the way for the Oaks, making 8-17 from the field, while going a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, on her way to 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Freshman Kiare Young added 17 points while hauling in a team best nine rebounds, while Emma Lander, a sophomore, chipped in with 14 counters and six boards. Shannon Pittman came off the bench to post 10 points and four rebounds in the win.
Leisa Butler paced the Tigers, scoring 22 points, on 6-15 shooting, while grabbing nine rebounds. Shominique Pearson had a double-double in the contest, scoring 14 counters while hauling in a game high 10 missed shots. Ashley Roby added 13 points and seven boards, while Tykesha Vaughn chipped in with 12 counters in the loss.
As a team, OCU connected on 25-64 (39.1%) of their shot attempts, including 6-24 (25.0%) from three point range. Hiwassee made 24-71 (33.8%) of their field goal tries, going 4-23 (17.4%) from long range. The Oaks made 28-33 (84.8%) from the foul line, compared to 23-25 (92.0%) for the Tigers, as both teams shot well from the charity stripe.
For the game, the Lady Oaks were outrebounded 46-43, including a deficit of 19-15 on the offensive boards. OCU handed out 17 assists, compared to 10 for Hiwassee, while losing the turnover battle 15-14.
The game saw six ties and seven lead changes. The Tigers outscored OCU 38-24 in the paint, but the Oaks held a 19-9 advantage in second chance points.
Oakland City's win helped to avenge last season's 73-59 loss in the opening game of the 2018 NCCAA Mideast Regional, also played against Hiwassee College, who was the host team last year. The Tigers went on to defeat Bluefield College in the second round of the regional tournament a year ago, earning the seventh seed in the NCCAA National Tournament field, where they finished sixth.
Bluefield College (15-16), who brings the top seed into the regional tournament, will take on the Oaks (14-7), with the winner earning an automatic berth in the NCCAA National Championship, held in Winona Lake, Indiana, March 13-16.
