Davlakou’s Knocks Down Game-Winner as USAO Defeats OCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (8-6, 6-4 SAC) got back on track with a thrilling 58-55 victory against Oklahoma City University (5-10, 5-6 SAC). The Drovers have won each of the last seven matchups against the Stars since January 2022. 

The Drovers trailed for over 38 minutes in the contest but were able to keep the score close and claim a late lead on Evangelia Davlakou's game-winning three-pointer. USAO scored the opening basket of the contest but would not lead again until there were only three seconds remaining in the game.

The Stars outscored the Drovers 14-9 in the first quarter, prior to outscoring USAO 17-13 in the second quarter, giving OCU a 31-22 lead at halftime. 

Both offenses struggled in the first half, with neither team shooting over 36-percent from the field. OCU shot 10-28 (.357) from the field and 2-8 (.250) from three-point range, while USAO shot only 8-30 (.267) from the field and 0-11 (.000) from deep.

Following the break, the Drovers began to turn things around and were heating up on offense. Both teams scored 16 points in the third quarter, and USAO trailed 47-38 going into the fourth quarter. The Drovers dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Stars 20-8, highlighted by Davlakou's three-point, game-winner prior to the final buzzer.

USAO's offense closed the game shooting 23-61 (.377) from the field, 4-21 (.190) from beyond the arc, and 8-11 (.727) from the free-throw line. In comparison, Oklahoma City shot 21-57 (.368) from the field, 2-12 (.167) from deep, and 11-16 (.688) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers scored 34 points in the paint and hauled in 42 rebounds. In comparison, the Stars scored 22 points in the paint and grabbed 37 rebounds. 

USAO committed 14 turnovers, which led to 12 points for OCU. Meanwhile, the Stars fumbled the ball 12 times, resulting in nine points for the Drovers.

USAO was whistled for 15 fouls, while OCU was called for 14 violations.

Evangelia Davlakou and Alexia Corrales led the USAO offense with 15 points each. Davlakou grabbed three rebounds and dished out five assists. Corrales shot 6-10 from the field, in addition to two rebounds, two assists, and three steals. 

Franka Kraus knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the second half, finishing with nine points and four rebounds. 

Anna Kassim provided a spark off the bench, tallying seven points and eight rebounds. Hannah Harris contributed four points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots.

Madison Hays, Jasmine Villarreal, Caroliena Diaz, and Davielis Berroa each scored two points in the win.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to Brisco McPherson Court as they host a double-header against Nelson University on Monday, January 6. The women's game is scheduled to tip-off at 6:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 7:45 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse. 

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