OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University's rally fell short in a 70-63 loss to Wayland Baptist (Texas) on Thursday night in Abe Lemons Arena.
Abby Selzer fueled the Stars with 19 points. Oklahoma City, ranked 10th in NAIA Division I women's basketball, went to 13-2, 6-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
"I thought it was a good game Wayland is good team we know that," said OCU head coach Bo Overton. "You have to score against them and make plays and we didn't. It was just one of those game where they made the plays when they needed to. I thought we had some good looks and they didn't go down. I told the team I really liked our execution. We got the ball where it needed to go we just have to keep working, keep getting better and those shots will go in. We just have to move on keep getting better and get ready for Saturday."
Wayland Baptist (13-2, 7-0 SAC) halted OCU's nine-game winning streak, dealing the Stars their first league loss of the season. Our Lady of the Lake won 81-89 over OCU on Nov. 17, 2018 in the Oklahoma City Classic.
Selzer, a freshman from Thomas, Okla., collected her third double-double this season picking up 12 rebounds an assist and a steal. Selzer shot 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.
The Stars reduced their deficit to 60-58 as Taylor LaCour sank free throws with 4:39 to go. Kambrey Blakey of Wayland Baptist responded with an old fashion 3-point play. Selzer's free throws cut Wayland Baptist's lead to 67-63 at the 1:38 mark. OCU missed their last three shots as Wayland Baptist added three more free throws to seal the outcome.
Maci Merket gave Wayland Baptist its largest lead at 67-58 with a layup with 2:52 remaining.
The Stars' Payton Taylor, a sophomore from Ada, Okla., added seven points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals. Michaela Kay, a senior from Spokane, Wash., contributed seven points, five rebounds a block and a steal. LaCour, a senior from Georgetown, Texas, added eight points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal, while Mallory Lockhart, a freshman from Keller, Texas, chipped in nine points and a steal for Oklahoma City.
OCU faces Panhandle State at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Abe Lemons Arena.