OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University dropped a 70-68 decision to nationally-ranked Science & Arts at the Eagles Nest of Oklahoma Christian University.
 
Ray Osborn and Annilia Dawn delivered 17 points each to lead the Stars. OCU fell to 8-10, 5-8 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, while Science & Arts, ranked 19th in NAIA women's basketball, went to 18-2, 12-2 SAC on the season.
 
OCU and USAO went back and forth in the first period, each having the lead at times. The period ended with the Drovers gaining a one-point advantage. The Drovers had the advantage in the second getting out to an early 26-19 advantage four minutes in. OCU fought back getting to the free throw line 14 times and making 11 of them. They cut the lead to 31-30 with a minute left after five straight free throws. The first half would ultimately end with the Drovers leading 35-32. Ray Osborn led the Stars with eight points at the half and Zaria Dorsey led the Drovers with 14 points.
 
Osborn continued her aggression in the second half, getting to the line a total of six times in the third quarter. OCU trailed by seven with six minutes left in the game but quickly mounted a small comeback after five straight points from Dawn to cut the lead to three. Dawn cut the lead to one with a 3-pointer later with just over two minutes remaining then hit another three on the following possession to give the Stars their first lead of the game. The Drovers would hit a 3 and free throws after an off-ball foul to take a 70-65 lead. Fiona Wilson fired in a 3-pointer at the buzzer, but to no avail as the Stars would lose 70-68.
 
Osborn and Dawn led OCU with 17 points each. Wilson, a senior psychology major from Greenland, Ark., supplied 13 points and eight rebounds. Dawn, a senior psychology major from Amarillo, Texas supplied five rebounds. Osborn, a junior psychology major from Sapulpa, Okla., went nine for ten at the line with four rebounds.

"This has been a tough stretch against three nationally ranked competitors inside SAC," Oklahoma City coach Kris Seigenthaler said. "This has challenged us, but also strengthened us. I can't say enough about the fight and resiliency of each of our players. We are a force to be reckoned with inside the SAC. We refuse to back down." 
 
Oklahoma City will take on Langston at 6 p.m. Thursday.