JACKSON, Tenn. ? Oklahoma City University?s Mariam Sy overcame first-half foul trouble to record career highs with 36 points and 19 rebounds in a 92-84 victory over Azusa Pacific (Calif.) on Friday at Oman Arena in the NAIA Division I women?s basketball tournament.
Sy, a WBCA NAIA all-American, surpassed the career high of 34 she scored against Houston Baptist on Dec. 5 and the career of 16 she matched on Nov. 5 against Huston-Tillotson (Texas).
Sy had two fouls and played only nine minutes in the first half. Azusa Pacific took advantage to lead by as much as 44-37 on Monica Somers? bucket with 49 seconds left in the first. Meliame Hala?ufia led Azusa Pacific with 18 points, 12 in the first half.
OCU improved to 32-2 and will meet defending NAIA champion Union (Tenn.) at 8 p.m. Saturday in the tournament quarterfinals.
?Thank God for Mariam Sy,? OCU coach Rob Edmisson said. ?Tante (Sy) is a special player. We don?t give her the ball enough.
?We outscored them. That was an uncharacteristic performance from us defensively.?
Hala?ufia fouled out late in the second half, as Sy finished the game with four fouls.
?She?s a big kid,? Edmisson said of Hala?ufia. ?She presented some problems for us. They were really scrappy.?
Sy said she was anxious to improve upon her 12 points and eight rebounds at halftime.
?My team needed me,? Sy said. ?The second half, I wanted to play so badly. We?re happy.?
The Stars hit 29 of 32 free throws, including several down the stretch. Sy hit all 10 of her free throws, and Zanita Johnson sank all six of hers.
?That was the ballgame for us,? Edmisson said.