Oakland City, IN - On Homecoming/Hall of Fame Day in the Johnson Center, the Oakland City University women's basketball team hosted the Bearcats of Brescia University, as the Oaks used their overwhelming depth to command the game from the opening tip. The Oaks led 25-9 at the end of the opening quarter, pulling away to a 46-19 halftime advantage. OCU never looked back, winning by the final score of 98-39, their sixth straight victory overall, and improved to 12-0 in River States Conference play.
Leading the way for the OCU side was
Jalaya Dowell, who made 8-13 from the field on her way to a game high 16 points.
Davinique Campbell added 14 counters, followed by 13 from
Marissa Austin, 11 from
Emilee Hope, and 10 from
Erin Whitehead. Dowell and Campbell each had a team high nine rebounds, while
Taylor Dillard handed out a game high nine assists in the win.
None of the ten Bearcats who appeared in the game reached double figures in scoring, as Brescia was led by Alecea Homer's eight point effort, on 2-7 shooting from the field, and a perfect 4-4 from the foul line. Madelyn Lyon added seven points while nabbing a game high 11 rebounds, while Hannah Sykora and Elisabeth Joines each tallied six.
As a team, the Oaks made 37-91 (40.7%) from the field, including 9-22 (40.9%) from three point range. The Bearcats were held to 13-59 (22.0%) from the field, making just 2-22 (9.1%) from beyond the arc. OCU went 15-20 (75.0%) from the foul line, compared to 11-18 (61.1%) for the visitors.
Overall, Oakland City held a 59-47 rebounding advantage, including a 24-15 lead on the offensive glass. OCU handed out 24 assists, 19 more than the Bearcats, while holding a 21-4 lead in steals, helping lead the Oaks to a 35-13 lead in turnovers.
At halftime of the game, the newest inductees of the Oakland City University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame were recognized, as Mike O'Connell (Men's Tennis/Basketball, 1972), Kate Miller Kress (Women's Basketball/Volleyball, 2005), and Karissa Walter Spicer (Women's Basketball, 2009) become the newest honorees to the prestigious group of former OCU athletes. Along with this, the number 14, worn during her time as a player by Spicer, was retired by the Oakland City University women's basketball program.
Next up for the Mighty Oaks is a home contest against Midway University on Tuesday, January 31, in the Johnson Center. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
