Oakland City, IN - In their final game before Christmas, the Oakland City University women's basketball team, holding a record of 9-2 including a perfect 4-0 mark in River States Conference play, hosted the Pomeroys of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, owners of a 6-2 mark, 1-2 against RSC opponents. Despite trailing 20-19 at the conclusion of the opening quarter, OCU pulled away before halftime, taking a 33-25 edge into the locker room at the break. OCU was able to hold off each run mounted by SMWC, winning by the final score of 70-50.
Jalaya Dowell led all scorers for the Oaks, posting 22 points on 8-14 shooting, going 6-6 from the line.
Emilee Hope added 18 counters, going 6-14 from the field, including 3-7 from three point range.
Taylor Dillard added 11 counters, on 5-9 shooting, while handing out a game high six assists. Dowell and
Davinique Campbell each hauled in a game best eight rebounds, while Hope nabbed five steals.
The Pomeroys were led by Avalee Jeffers who made 4-7 of her shot attempts, including a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc, on her way to 14 points. Brooklynn Jones also reached double figures in the scoring column, notching 12 points on 5-13 shooting, while also leading the SMWC side with eight rebounds.
As a team, the Oaks made 27-65 (41.5%) from the field, going 5-16 (31.3%) from three point range. St. Mary-of-the-Woods connected on 16-53 (30.2%) of their shot attempts, going 6-21 (28.6%) from long range. OCU struggled from the foul line, going 11-21 (52.4%) from the charity stripe, compared to 12-16 (75.0%) for the visiting Pomeroys.
OCU hauled in 43 rebounds, including 19 on the offensive boards, while SMWC nabbed 39 missed shots, 15 on the offensive glass. The Oaks handed out 18 assists, 10 more than the visitors, while also winning the turnover battle 19-28.
Next up for the Oaks is a road game at Cumberland University on December 29, tipping off at 5:00 pm.
