WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Women's Basketball earned its first conference win of the season Thursday night at the Pioneer Event Center, defeating Oklahoma Baptist 69-57 behind a dominant rebounding performance and stifling defensive effort.
The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and closed out SWOSU's home schedule for the 2025 portion of the season.
Despite a slow start from the field, the Lady Bulldogs controlled the opening quarter on the glass. SWOSU collected nine offensive rebounds in the first 10 minutes, turning those extra possessions into eight second-chance points to stay within reach. Oklahoma Baptist held a narrow 18-16 edge after one.
SWOSU's defense set the tone in the second quarter, holding the Bison scoreless over the opening minutes and limiting them to just 2-of-13 shooting in the period. The Lady Bulldogs closed the half on a 7-0 run to take a 32-24 lead into the break. After shooting 55% in the opening quarter, OBU was held to just 15% in the second.
At halftime, SWOSU owned a 25-16 rebounding advantage and led 17-5 in points off turnovers and 10-2 in second-chance points. The Lady Bulldogs forced 14 first-half turnovers while shooting 32% as a team.
Momentum carried into the third quarter as SWOSU scored the first six points and continued to apply defensive pressure. Oklahoma Baptist was limited to 3-of-13 (23%) shooting in the period, while the Lady Bulldogs poured in 22 points on 47% shooting to outscore the Bison 22-15 and extend the lead to as many as 20 late in the quarter.
Oklahoma Baptist made a push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 11 after trailing 50-30 late in the third. Each time the Bison threatened to make it a single-digit game, SWOSU answered with timely baskets and defensive stops to maintain control down the stretch.
SWOSU finished the night shooting 38% from the field, 6-of-22 from beyond the arc, and 13-of-22 at the free-throw line. Oklahoma Baptist shot 33% overall, went 11-of-28 from three-point range, and finished 10-of-12 at the foul line.
The Lady Bulldogs dominated the glass, outrebounding the Bison 51-29 for a season-best +22 margin, including 24 offensive rebounds. Elle Papahronis led the effort with a career-high 16 rebounds, while SWOSU also won the turnover battle, 18-16.
Sincere Jackson and Landry Allen led SWOSU with 16 points apiece. Jackson added nine rebounds, while Allen posted a well-rounded stat line with eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and four blocks.
In her first game back since the Lubbock Christian matchup, Papahronis added 14 points and a career-high six assists. Piper Patterson contributed a season-high four steals and matched her season bests with eight points and seven rebounds. Facing her former team, Payten Conde finished with 12 points, shooting 4-of-8 from three-point range.
With the win, SWOSU improves to 1-2 in Great American Conference play and 3-5 overall. The Lady Bulldogs will wrap up the week on the road at Southern Nazarene on Saturday, December 13, before closing out the 2025 calendar year Thursday, December 18, at Southeastern ahead of the conference break.
