NEW ORLEANS – Oklahoma City University's women's basketball team got off to an early first-quarter lead and led wire-to-wire in a 91-74 win over Southern-New Orleans at The Castle on Saturday.
The Stars jumped out to a 21-5 lead to start the game and led 28-12 at the end of the first. Oklahoma City, ranked 19th, moved to 6-1 on the year, while the Lady Knights dropped to 2-2.
Daniela Wallen, a senior from Caracas, Venezuela, led all scorers with 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out five assists. The double-double was her fourth of the season.
"I thought we were really focused today in the way we started," OCU head coach Bo Overton said. "The bench gave us a lift with Abbey Renner and Torie Shanbour giving us good minutes."
Brooke Irwin and Daniela Galindo both scored 19 points for OCU. Irwin, a junior from Mustang, Okla., added nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal, while Galindo, a junior out of Shattuck, Okla., provided three assists, one block and one steal.
The Stars shot 62.3 percent from the field while holding Southern New Orleans to 32.5 percent.
Micah Brooks led the Lady Knights with 21 points, 13 assists, and six steals while also grabbing three boards.
OCU opens conference play against John Brown (Ark.) at 6 p.m. Thursday in Siloam Springs, Ark.