SHAWNEE, Okla. – Oklahoma City University overwhelmed St. Gregory's 73-47 on Thursday at W.P. Wood Fieldhouse.

The Stars, ranked ninth in NAIA women's basketball, forced 29 turnovers and limited St. Gregory's to 35.2 percent shooting from the field to improve to 14-3, 9-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. St. Gregory's dropped to 7-11, 2-8 in the SAC.

“We played really well the last five minutes in the first half and the first three or four minutes in the second half tonight,” OCU coach Rob Edmisson said. “Road wins in the SAC are tough to get, so we're happy to go home with a win.”

Holly Hardin, a senior from Chickasha, Okla., had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead OCU. Starr Fairbanks, a junior from Cincinnati, added 11 points and four steals.

OCU turned up its defensive pressure to separate from St. Gregory's with a 31-6 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Donica Cosby with 15:45 to play in the game.

Hardin opened the spurt with a pair of free throws as part of a 10-0 run, giving OCU a 34-17 advantage with 2:41 remaining in the first half. Hardin had six points during that stretch.

The Stars began the second half on a 9-2 run to give OCU its biggest lead of the game at 55-23.

OCU raced out to an 11-0 lead over the first three minutes of the game. Laura Duncan hit a 3-pointer to ignite the run. Hardin followed with a free-throw and a layup to make the score 6-0. Chontaye Walter hit a jumper and Lauren Gober finished the run with a 3-pointer with 16:50 to play in the first half.

The Stars will host No. 4-ranked Oklahoma Baptist at 6 p.m. on Saturday inside Abe Lemons Arena.
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