From OBU Sports Info.
Casady Fletcher, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations
The No. 8 Oklahoma Baptist women’s basketball team defeated Tabor (Kan.) 80-61 in the season opener at the Noble Complex Friday night.
The Lady Bison (1-0) shot just 36 percent in the first half, but extended the lead after halftime in the wire-to-wire victory.
OBU opened up the game on an 8-0 run bookended by layups from point guard Elisabeth Daniels. Tasha Edge drilled a three-pointer later in the half to give the Lady Bison an 11-point lead less than six minutes into the game.
The Bluejays (1-3) cut the lead to five points with under four minutes to play in the half. Freshman McKenzie Cooper scored eight of her 13 points before halftime to help hold off the Tabor push. OBU closed out the half on an 8-2 run to take a 36-25 lead at intermission.
TC never got closer than seven in the second half. Senior Lilia Inoubli scored nine points in the half to extend the OBU lead. The Lady Bison closed the game on a 12-2 run, holding the Bluejays without a field goal over the final 4:31 of game play.
“We finally locked down the last seven minutes and started playing how we know how to play,” head coach Casi Bays said. “You’ve got to be happy with that, and we have to build on that.”
Senior guard Charity Fowler finished with a near triple-double, scoring a game-high 20 points to go with nine rebounds and eight assists. Seven of her rebounds were on the offensive end.
Junior Arielle Cooper scored 12 points and grabbed seven boards in her first game as a Lady Bison, and Lilia Inoubli scored 11 points in the win.
OBU will host the Oklahoma Angels in an exhibition game during homecoming festivities Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.