Box Score BOX SCORE
JACKSON, Tenn. – Oklahoma Christian University moves in to the quarterfinals with a 62-52 win over the Westminster (Utah) College Griffins. The No. 7-seed Eagles are in the quarterfinals for only the third time in school history. OC previously advanced to the quarterfinals in 1986 and 2003.
The Eagles fell behind in the first half 20-13 after Westminster's
Dani Evans scored a field goal at the 7:18 mark in the first half. OC rallied down the stretch and took a one point lead 26-25 after Lindsay McCown converted a Griffin turnover in to two points before halftime.
The Griffins bounced back after halftime, going on a 9-2 run to start the half and setting up a 34-28 lead. The Eagles responded in a big way, rattling off a 17-3 run over the next 8:01 to take the lead for good, 45-37. OC pushed its lead to as many as 11 points down the stretch, eventually settling for a 10-point victory.
The Griffins came into the tournament ranked No. 1 nationally in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 40.8 percent on the year, but went cold on the day shooting just 10-of-39 (0.256) from long range. The Eagles also doubled Westminster in points in the paint, outscoring the Griffins 24-12 in the lane.
McCown led the Eagles with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting; Kailan DeCamp was the only other player in double-figures with 11.
Keshia Catten,
McKenzie Jessop and
Nicole Yazzie all scored in double-figures for the Griffins, netting 15, 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Oklahoma Christian will take on the winner of the game between Union (Tenn.) and Southern Polytechnic State (Ga.) at 6 p.m. CDT on Saturday, March 20.
Oklahoma Christian improves to 21-12 on the season, while Westminster finishes with a record of 27-7.