Box Score
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EDMOND, Okla. – A season-high 29 turnovers doomed the Southwestern Oklahoma State University women's basketball team on Wednesday night against Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos defeated SWOSU 98-75 to deny the Lady Bulldogs their first victory against UCO at Hamilton Field House since 2007.
Central Oklahoma jumped on top of the Bulldogs early, taking a 24-10 lead just 10 minutes into the game. SWOSU fought an uphill battle the remainder of the half but were able to get within six at 42-36 just before the intermission as
Jessica Penner put in a short basket to lead the Dawgs with 11 points at the break.
The five-point barrier was one that SWOSU could not break in the second half. The Lady Bulldogs got within five at 46-41 after
Chelsea Bates finished an and-one opportunity, but the spurt was met by an answer from the Bronchos. After
Britton Scott put in a pair of free throws with 10:21 to play, UCO broke the game open with a 17-0 run that spanned nearly six minutes and gave the Bronchos an 84-56 advantage, putting them on their way to victory.
UCO took advantage of the Bulldogs miscues, scoring 27 points off SWOSU turnovers while knocking down 41.7% of their field goal attempts and connecting on 11-of-23 three pointers. The Lady Dawgs were held to 39.0% (23-of-59) shooting and hit on 9-of-26 attempts from long range.
SWOSU played without starting point guard
Sarah Mendoza, meaning Bates joined the starting lineup for the first time as a Lady Bulldog. The depth chart took a further hit in the first half as
Kimmi Sawatzky went down with an injury after playing less than one minute.
Sarina Sayama led SWOSU in scoring for the third time in the past four games after scoring 15 points off the bench by knocking down 5-of-7 three point attempts.
Taryn Sayama added 13 points while Penner was held scoreless in the second half but still finished with her first career double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
SWOSU drops to 4-3 on the year and they are now 2-3 in non-conference action. The Lady Bulldogs head to Panhandle State on Monday (Dec. 2) before returning to GAC play on Thursday against Southern Nazarene.
