WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Women's Basketball used disruptive defense and a balanced scoring effort to defeat Pittsburg State 75-49 in Monday night's season opener at the Pioneer Event Center.
The Lady Bulldogs forced 26 turnovers, more than in any game last season, and converted them into 25 points while committing only nine of their own. SWOSU also outscored Pitt State 44-12 in the paint and held the Gorillas to 28.3% shooting.
Newcomers
Kelby Beller and
Rylie Burnett combined for 28 points in their SWOSU debuts, complementing returning contributors
Sincere Jackson,
Landry Allen and
Elle Papahronis in a wire-to-wire victory.
Burnett scored the game's opening basket before Beller and Jackson helped SWOSU build a 7-0 lead. The advantage grew to 14-2 as the Lady Bulldogs forced nine first-quarter turnovers and held Pitt State to two made field goals.
Beller carried the offense in the second quarter with 11 points, helping SWOSU take a 33-20 lead into halftime. She finished with a team-high 15 points, five rebounds and three steals.
The Lady Bulldogs put the game away with a dominant third quarter. After Pitt State twice cut the margin to 10, SWOSU answered with a 17-0 run and outscored the Gorillas 30-15 in the period. The Lady Bulldogs shot 11-of-20 from the field and 5-of-7 from beyond the arc to enter the fourth leading 63-35.
Allen scored 11 of her 13 points during the third, making all three of her attempts from deep. She also collected nine rebounds and blocked six shots.
Jackson and Burnett joined Allen with 13 points apiece. Jackson added nine rebounds, while Burnett grabbed five boards and played 30 turnover-free minutes.
Papahronis contributed eight points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Kasidy Russell added eight points in eight minutes off the bench, making both of her 3-point attempts.
SWOSU finished with a 48-47 edge on the glass, including 18 offensive rebounds. The turnover disparity helped the Lady Bulldogs attempt 17 more shots than Pitt State.
SWOSU travels to Tahlequah this weekend for the GAC/MIAA Crossover. The Lady Bulldogs will face Northeastern State at 5:30 p.m. Friday before meeting Rogers State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
