Oklahoma City University Athletics

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Stars women's basketball team dropped a 72-68 decision to Friends University as the Stars suffered their first home defeat inside Abe Lemons Arena on homecoming.

Oklahoma City (1-2) got off to a hot start as Jerzie Bryant knocked down back-to-back threes to put OCU up on top 6-0 right out of the gate. Friends (2-1) took its first lead at the 4:29 mark of the first quarter off of a steal leading to a fastbreak layup from Rayland Garner. 

After the conclusion of the first quarter tied up 25-25 Friends came out in the second taking control. The Falcons turned in a 7-0 run midway through the quarter that helped them gain all of the momentum and keep them in front most of the way. 

OCU began to close in on the lead in the fourth quarter as Friends stayed in control for most of the second half. Bryant continued her hot shooting night from beyond the arc cashing in her third three-pointer of the afternoon to bring the Stars within six, the closest it has been since seven minutes left in the second quarter. 

Oklahoma City continued to chip into the Falcon lead however Friends continued to have an answer taking the lead back up to nine with 3:33 to play. Down under three minutes, senior Ray Osborn made a big play that got the crowd going with an and-one layup leading to Osborn converting at the line to cut the Friends lead to just four. 

With a minute and a half to play Jadyn Glasgow went one of two from the line to go up five but Cacie Gorman of the Stars was right there to follow up with a layup on an assist from Osborn to cut it down to three. 

Time began to tick away as Friends once again made one out of two attempts from the line giving OCU possession down 72-68 with 25 seconds to go. Needing a quick score the Friends defense clamping down on the Stars causing two missed shots as time expired. 

Jerzie Bryant led the way in scoring for Oklahoma City as the freshman set a new career-high 18 points to tie Myracle Washington for the freshman high this season. Bryant also collected six rebounds and was a force on the defensive end with five steals. 

Amaya Gordon reached double-figures in scoring for the third straight game and notched her second double-double of the season after grabbing 11 rebounds. 

Ray Osborn and Myracle Washington both reached double-figures with 10 points each as Osborn racked up three rebounds and three assists as Washington shot 50% from the field. 

Head coach Kris Seigenthaler mentioned that it was a tough loss and went on to say "the fight our squad was relentless. We are strengthening with each competition and I am extremely proud of our squad. The atmosphere in Abe Lemons Arena was unforgettable."

The Stars will return to the hardwood on Tuesday in Weatherford, Oklahoma as Oklahoma City takes on NCAA Division II Northwestern Oklahoma State at 6 PM.