Oklahoma City Too Much for 'Roo Women's Hoops

Oklahoma City University's size and smothering full court defense proved to be too much for the Austin College women's basketball team, as the 'Roos were hounded into 36 turnovers and gave up 31 offensive rebounds to fall 100-48 on Saturday afternoon in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 1-2 overall this season. 

Austin College jumped out to an early 9-8 lead after a pair of threes from Erin Riley and another trey from Christina Kime, and after the Stars pulled ahead 12-9, Kime knocked down another triple to square things up with 14:15 left in the first half. However, Oklahoma City would use an 18-0 run over the next five minutes to break the game open and make it 30-12. The Stars used their aggressive full court press and dominance on the offensive glass to make their run, pestering the 'Roos into eight turnovers during that stretch. 

Katie Gowdy scored five in a row to break the scoreless streak for Austin College and make it 32-17, and a Briana Harvey basket made it 35-21 with 6:06 left before halftime. Oklahoma City's Ouleymatou Coulibaly responded with 10 points as the Stars ended the half on a 16-0 run to make it 51-21 at the break. Coulibaly had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first half as the Stars forced 21 turnovers and grabbed 16 offensive boards in the first 20 minutes. 

Riley scored four quick points and Brittany Stepanksi scored four of her own to open the second half for Austin College, but the 'Roos were unable to get closer than 28 throughout the second half. Kendall Heitmeir scored six in a row for the 'Roos to make it 74-40 with nine minutes remaining, and after two more points from Heitmeir brought it to a 90-48 game with 2:28 left, Oklahoma City scored the game's final 10 points to make it a 100-48 final. 

Riley finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists to lead Austin College offensively and Kime and Heitmeir each had nine in the loss. Austin College shot just 34% from the field and 23.1% from three point range in the game. 

Coulibaly finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds and Yvonte Neal had 16 points, while Cara Pugh scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Stars scored 64 points in the paint while shooting 48.9% from the field and owned a 52-33 rebounding edge. 

Austin College will be looking to bounce back on Tuesday when they host the University of Texas-Dallas at 8:00 p.m. 

Austin College athletic teams participate as a member of the NCAA Division III and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. 

About Austin College 

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope's influential book Colleges that Change Lives.