OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University notched its first women's basketball victory over an NCAA Division I team since 1989 in a 68-48 win over Houston Baptist on Tuesday at Abe Lemons Arena.
Breezy Martin, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, paced the Stars with 13 points and tied for the team high with seven rebounds. OCU, ranked 17th in NAIA Division I, improved to 9-3 with its seventh consecutive win.
The Stars used a 50-30 rebounding advantage and 30-for-34 shooting from the free-throw line to get the victory. OCU had not beaten an NCAA Division I foe since defeating Oral Roberts 101-85 in the latter part of the 1988-89 season. OCU had been 0-3 against NCAA Division I competition since then.
“Any win is a good win,” OCU coach Rob Edmisson said. “Our kids played with focus. They were exceptional from the free-throw line. To shoot so well from the free-throw line and to outrebound them like that, those were keys.”
Martin led the way from the free-throw line, sinking 11 of 14 free throws.
“She played with a lot of energy,” Edmisson said. “She was active. If all our kids played with her energy, the game would have been easy. We want to play with energy and get into transition.”
Viola Beybeyah added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Romana Vynuchalova chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
The Stars opened the game with an 8-2 run, but fell behind 16-11. OCU responded with an 8-0 run started by Chelsea Ledbetter's transition layup.
To start the second half, OCU outscored Houston Baptist 11-2. Ledbetter connected on a trey, then added a bucket off Zanita Johnson's steal and assist during that stretch. Erika Gaddies capped the run with a pair of free throws with 15:22 remaining in the game.
OCU built a 25-point advantage on Kay McConnell's jumper with 3:52 left.
The Stars get back to Sooner Athletic Conference play against St. Gregory's at 6 p.m. Thursday at Abe Lemons Arena.
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