Oklahoma City University came up short 74-65 against Lubbock Christian (Texas) on Saturday afternoon at the Rip Griffin Center.
Cacie Gorman had a double-double and led four Stars in double-figure scoring. OCU (2-4) took on Lubbock Christian, ranked 23rd in NCAA Division II women's basketball in the preseason, in an exhibition.
OCU kept it close all game long. Trailing by eight entering the second half, the Stars put together a little rally to lead the Lady Chaps 52-50 with just under four minutes left in the third. Gorman scored to give the Stars their last lead as LCU tallied seven unanswered to end the third period.
The Stars cut the deficit to four on free throws by Gorman, but Lubbock Christian answered with a 3-pointer with 5:33 to go. The Lady Chaps were held scoreless the final 3:20. Gorman hit a jumper, and Fiona Wilson hit a couple free throws to cut the Chaps lead down to nine.
Fastbreak points is where LCU got the bulk of their points with 14 in total. OCU had just two fastbreak points. Besides fastbreak points and blocks, the stats were almost even with both teams having 38 rebounds, both teams having seven steals, 11 turnovers, and OCU having two more assists. The Stars went a perfect 15-for-15 from the foul line.
The Stars had four scorers in double figures. Gorman's double-double consisted of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Annilia Dawn had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Amaya Gordon had 10 points and seven rebounds and the Stars' only block. Wilson also had 10 points and supplied four steals.
Lubbock Christian took the 2021 NCAA Division II title for its third national championship.
"Lubbock Christian has a national reputation, and I thought we came in fearless and competed hard," OCU coach Kris Seigenthaler said. "Each of these challenges on the road have strengthened us for the SAC competition. "
OCU is back on the road again facing Langston at 6 p.m. Thursday for Sooner Athletic Conference action.
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