Oklahoma City got a big game from senior Kayla MacKenzie to turn away a Langston team that had been surging late in the season. 
OCU defeated LU, 79-71, in the first round of the 2014 NAIA Division I women’s basketball national tournament in Frankfort, Ky.
Oklahoma City (23-4), the second seed in its section of the bracket, got a game high 20 points from MacKenzie to advance to the second round.
Lynette Holmes, the NAIA’s leading scorer, led the way for Langston with 18 points. Â The Lady Lions finish the season at 20-13, but won 12 of their last 15 games.
Four players for OCU scored in double figures. Â MacKenzie was joined by Yvonte Neal with 17, Autumn Huffman with 13, and Cara Pugh with 10.
Huffman grabbed 10 rebounds to log a double-double.
Langston got up early on the Stars, leading 17-11 eight minutes in. Â But MacKenzie’s second three-pointer of the day sparked a 12-1 run that OCU back on top 23-18.
The Lady Lions roared back to regain the lead before the intermission. Â However, Pugh’s only make from long range put the Stars back on top, 36-34, a lead they would take into halftime.
Jasmyne Randolph opened the second half with a three and Langston was back on top. Â Oklahoma City then used another big run, this one 12-0, to take a lead it would not relinquish.
Alex Adekunle had 13 points in her final game for Langston and fellow senior Randolph finished with 10.
Oklahoma City will next play Montana State-Northern on Friday at 11:30 a.m.