From SGU Sports Information
WOMEN
Cavs drop conference opener despite Silva’s season-high 25
SHAWNEE – Despite a season-high 25 points from Leticia Silva, the St. Gregory’s women’s basketball team dropped a 73-68 decision to Wayland Baptist in its conference opener Thursday night at W.P. Wood Field House. The Cavaliers had one of their best shooting nights of the season, but 26 turnovers doomed the home team on a night when possessions were precious.
The Cavs shot 46 percent from the field in a game that featured nine ties and five lead changes. The Flying Queens, however, converted SGU miscues into 19 points and had a decided 28-2 advantage in bench scoring.
WBU (9-7) led by six on two occasions in the second half, the largest lead of either team in the final 20 minutes. The advantage was 61-55 with 4:44 remaining when SGU used an 8-0 run, capped off by a Silva three from the wing, to take a 63-61 lead. The Cavs led 64-63 with 1:55 left, but the Flying Queens converted two consecutive SGU turnovers into points and led by five with less than a minute to play. The visitors made their last six free throws to keep the Cavs at bay.
Silva finished 7 of 15 from the field and made 10 of 14 free throws. Kalie Lucas, who entered the night leading the NAIA in blocked shots, finished with 12 points, 10 boards and five blocks.
SGU, which came into the game second in the NAIA in three-pointers made, took an early 11-4 lead after connecting on its first three from long distance. The visitors responded, though. Down 21-15 with just less than eight minutes left in the half, the Flying Queens made six of their next eight shots and led by five with 4:30 left. The WBU advantage was 36-34 at halftime.
The second half started much like the first with SGU scoring the period’s first seven points to take a 41-36 lead with 17:34 left. That lead, however, was short-lived as WBU used a 10-2 run over the next four minutes to regain the advantage.
The Cavs (7-8) return to action Saturday at home against No. 1 Lubbock Christian. That game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Members of Shawnee’s civic clubs will receive free admission to both the men’s and women’s games on Saturday.
MEN
Payton’s Late Bucket Seals Win for Pioneers
SHAWNEE – Wayland Baptist guard Travis Payton hit the game-winning floater in the lane with six seconds remaining, securing a 72-70 win for the Pioneers over St. Gregory’s Thursday night at W.P. Wood Field House. Payton’s bucket came after a furious Cavalier rally in the last minute to tie the game.
Down by five with under a minute to play, SGU’s Josiah Campbell hit a shot in the lane to cut it to 70-67 with 39 seconds remaining. Fayzon Richey, who came into the contest fifth in the NAIA in points per game, then stole the next WBU possession at midcourt and drove the right side for a score while drawing a foul with 18 seconds left. After the free throw, it was tied at 70, setting the stage for Payton.
Richey and freshman Tim Stromberg led all SGU scorers with 14 points each. Devonte Young, whose driving shot at the buzzer clanged off the back of the rim, finished with 13. Payton had 15 points for the Pioneers.
The visitors shot 50 percent from the field for the game and held a slight 35-31 advantage on the boards. Ten of the 11 Cavaliers who saw the court scored.
SGU dug an early 12-2 hole, scoring on just one of its first seven possessions. WBU maintained that advantage and led by as many as 13 in the first half. The Cavs trailed 32-20 with 3:12 left but closed the period on a 12-4 run. Dylan Lemley’s running jumper from the baseline at the intermission buzzer cut the lead to four.
SGU shot 48 percent in the first half, led by Richey’s nine points on 3 of 5 shooting. The Pioneers converted 12 Cavalier turnovers into 12 points in the first 20 minutes.
The home team’s positive momentum carried over into the second half, as SGU scored eight of the period’s first 10 points. That run was capped off by Richey’s breakaway dunk to give the Cavs their first lead of the game at 40-38 with 17:52 to play.
The Pioneers battled back, denying SGU scores on eight of its next 11 possessions and took a 53-46 lead on a Reggie Fondren three-pointer from the wing with 11:09 left. That lead held until late. It was 61-54 WBU at the 5:21 mark when the Cavs went on an 8-1 run over a two-minute span. Young tied it at 62 with a three-pointer and a floater in the lane on consecutive possessions.
The Cavs return to action Saturday at home against Lubbock Christian. That game is scheduled for 3 p.m. Members of Shawnee’s civic clubs will receive free admission to both the men’s and women’s games on Saturday.
Brad Collins is the Sports Information Director at St. Gregory’s University.