Well-Balanced Effort Leads to Victory Against College of the Ozarks

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (13-10, 11-8 SAC) earned an impressive 75-63 victory against College of the Ozarks (15-8, 13-6 SAC). 

With five games remaining in the regular season, the Drovers sit in sixth place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the conference tournament, and the top four seeded teams will host the first round, prior to the tournament being moved to Langston University for the semifinals and finals. 

On Thursday, the Drovers avenged a loss against the Bobcats from back in December in Siloam Springs, Ark. USAO got off to a bit of a slow start and Ozarks controlled a 21-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter. However, the Drovers found their groove in the second quarter, outscoring the Bobcats 21-10 to take a slim 34-31 lead into halftime. 

In the opening half, CofO led by as many as 13 points early in the second quarter, prior to USAO taking their biggest lead of the half into the break. 

Following the break, the teams traded baskets for much of the third quarter and USAO edged Ozarks 22-18, to possess a 56-49 lead going into the final 10 minutes of the game. The Drovers put the game out of reach by outscoring the Bobcats 19-14 in the fourth quarter. 

USAO's offense closed the game shooting 28-64 (.438) from the field, 5-18 (.278) from beyond the arc, and 14-22 (.636) from the free-throw line. In comparison, College of the Ozarks shot 23-61 (.377) from the field, 10-27 (.370) from deep, and 7-9 (.778) from the charity stripe. 

The Drovers scored 36 points in the paint and hauled in 37 rebounds. In comparison, the Bobcats scored 18 points in the paint and grabbed 43 rebounds. 

USAO committed only four turnovers, which led to six points for Ozarks. Meanwhile, the Bobcats fumbled the ball 13 times, resulting in 16 points for the Drovers.

USAO was whistled for 15 fouls, while Ozarks was called for 21 violations.

Four different Drovers scored in double figures in the well-balanced effort, led by Evangelia Davlakou's 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Hannah Harris recorded her second double-double of the season as she concluded with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals. Ashley Gonzalez and Devynn Harris each scored 10 points off the bench. 

Franka Kraus contributed nine points, followed by Madison Hays and Jasmine Villarreal with six points each. 

Davielis Berroa and Alexia Corrales each tallied four points and Caroliena Diaz scored three points. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to Brisco McPherson court on Saturday, February 8 as they host a double-header against John Brown University. The women's game is scheduled to tip-off at 2:00 PM CT, followed by the men's game at 3:45 PM CT inside Drover Fieldhouse. 

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