OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University derailed Oklahoma Baptist 68-60 on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena in the showcase game this week in NAIA Division I women's basketball.

Starr Fairbanks, a junior from Cincinnati, totaled 21 points and 11 rebounds to spearhead ninth-ranked OCU (15-3, 10-1 Sooner Athletic Conference). The Stars halted a 14-game win streak by third-ranked Oklahoma Baptist (17-2, 10-1 SAC).

Lauren Gober, a freshman from Newcastle, Okla., added 13 points and five rebounds for OCU, while Donica Cosby had 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Gabriell Mattox led Oklahoma Baptist with 17 points, while Taujhnae Travis had 16 points.

OCU limited Oklahoma Baptist to 44 percent shooting from the field. The Stars built a 47-34 rebounding advantage and outscored Oklahoma Baptist 19-7 in second-chance points.

The Stars reeled off their ninth consecutive win. OCU posted its 10th conference victory in a row after losing to Oklahoma Baptist on Dec. 3. The two teams became tied atop the SAC standings.

“It is a big win with respect to what is happening in the conference,” OCU coach Rob Edmisson said. "I was proud of our kids.

“We were good in the three areas we needed to be to win the game. One is defense. We hang our hat on defense. We can take pride in our defensive effort. We had to win the battle of the boards. We did a great job of making Taujhnae work for her shots.”

The Stars overcame 37.7 percent shooting from the floor. OCU hit 44.8 percent of its shots in the second period.

“Our easiest baskets will come in transition,” Edmisson said. “OBU is a great team. They congested the game. Those things we've done recently to cause problems for people we couldn't do to them.”

Oklahoma Baptist led only once in the game at 7-4 after Mattox hit a 3-pointer. Fairbanks answered with a pair of baskets for the Stars.

OCU built its largest lead of 52-39 with 9:04 remaining in the contest. Mattox hit a lay-in to cut Oklahoma Baptist's deficit to 43-39 with 12:32 left.

The Stars answered with a 9-0 burst. Holly Hardin triggered the OCU surge with a bucket, then Fairbanks did the rest. Fairbanks converted a 3-point play then sank back-to-back layups.

“She is a special player,” Edmisson said of Fairbanks. “She is tough around the rim. She's agile. I thought she was big whenever we needed a big basket. Donica and Chontaye Walter did a good job of finding who's open.”

The Stars take on Southern Nazarene at 6 p.m. Thursday in Bethany, Okla.
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