OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University pulverized Central Christian (Kan.) 87-33 at Abe Lemons Arena on Thursday.
Mallory Lockhart, a freshman from Keller, Texas, powered the Stars with a game-high 20 points. Oklahoma City, ranked 12th in NAIA Division I women's basketball, moved to 17-2, 10-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, dropping Central Christian to 2-17, 1-11 in the SAC.
"A lot of zone was played by Central Christian," head coach Bo Overton said. "which if they are worried about our inside game it leaves Mallory open. I told her at the half to keep staying aggressive and to keep shooting. She is a big time weapon for us."
Lockhart reached 20 points for the second time this season, the other was at Central Christian on Dec. 1, 2018. She matched her season best for 3-pointers by sinking 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Lockhart made 6-10 at Central Christian and against Dillard (La.) on Nov. 23, 2018 she hit 6-9. Abby Selzer, a freshman from Thomas, Okla., added her sixth double-double of the season with 19 points, 13 rebounds. She also had two blocked shots and an assist.
Payton Taylor and Brennyn Seagler also chipped in double-digit scoring for OCU. Taylor, a sophomore from Ada, Okla., accumulated 10 points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists, while Seagler, a junior from Gruver, Texas, tallied 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a block.
"I am really impressed with how we got going from the start. I thought that our defense kind of kept their strength away, they like to drive and get to the rim. I felt that the way that the top of our zone with Peyton and Michaela Kay did really good job and then anytime Central Christian busted through I thought Taylor Sylvester was there and she really started the game off good with not giving them any easy shots."
Central Christian made the first shot of the game and then was held scoreless over the next 5:27, during that time the Stars went on a 10-0 run capped off by a Shamika Smith layup with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter. Central Christian mustered 17.6 percent shooting from the field. The Stars have limited foes to a 29.1 percent field-goal percentage and have held opponents to less than 30 percent shooting 13 times this season.
JoHanna Beathard sank three free throw to cap a 13-3 surge that gave Oklahoma City its biggest advantage of the day 87-33 with 0:32 left.
The Stars face Langston at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Langston, Okla.