OKLAHOMA CITY – Abby Selzer dropped a game-high 21 points and led Oklahoma City University to an 65-53 victory over USAO Thursday night at Abe Lemons Arena.
Selzer, a freshman from Thomas, Okla., had 14 of her 21 points in the second half of Thursday's contest and has scored 20 or more points in eight games this season. The Stars, ranked 10th in NAIA women's basketball, improved to 26-3 on the year and 19-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. USAO fell to 19-10 overall and 14-7 in SAC play.
"Just one of those physical games that we play against USAO," head coach Bo Overton said. "USAO has a tough team inside. It was just kind of one of those games where the team was making shots. I thought that we got to a good start there, and we held them off. Mallory and Michaela got us going by making some shots, and Abby kept doing her regular stuff. This time of year, just win by one and get to the next game."
Oklahoma City came out strong defensively against the Drovers, allowing USAO to only make two shots in the second quarter and stretched the lead to 36-21 at the half. The Stars were unable to create much separation in the second half, USAO outscored OCU 13-11 in the third and 19-18 in the fourth.
Mallory Lockhart, a freshman from Keller, Texas, finished the game with 12 points, two rebounds and an assist.
Selzer gave the Drovers' defense problems all night and continued to score buckets in the paint in the fourth quarter. USAO outscored the Stars 20-18 in points in the paint. Oklahoma City skyrocketed their lead to 17 points in the fourth off a layup from Selzer with just over three minutes remaining, on a Payton Taylor assist. Taylor finished the day with nine points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal.
"Abby just keeps getting better every week," said Overton. "She continues to do it every game. We have to just keep giving her the ball and keep working. She is doing a great job."
The Drovers made on final push toward the end of the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late. Oklahoma City finished the game shooting 33.3 percent from the field and held USAO to 34.0 percent shooting. The Stars also led in second chance points (16-6), fast break points (5-4) and rebounds (40-35).
Michaela Kay, a senior from Spokane, Wash., finished with six points, three steals and two assists for OCU. Taylor LaCour, a senior from Georgetown, Texas, produced five points, four rebounds and an assist.
"I think the first thing you look at look at how many games Michaela and Taylor have won," said Overton. "They won 28 games last year and we are at 26 wins this year. They are not only talented players on the floor, but they are just great people. Taylor is trying to go to med school and Michaela is wanting to start her own business. They are just great people that come from great families. You say this every years, but we are just really going to miss these two."
Oklahoma City returns to action at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mid America Christian in Oklahoma City.