Oklahoma City University Athletics

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – Oklahoma City flexed some offensive muscle and claimed its season opener in women's basketball, defeating Williams Baptist 83-81.
 
Williams Baptist received votes in the preseason poll.
 
LaKayla Hale had 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists to headline the Stars, shooting seven of 11 from the field.
 
Kiera Whitaker scored 15 points, Jazmin Adams added 14 and Emerie Adams scored 10 for the Stars.
 
"I'm just happy with the fight we showed," said OCU Head Coach Alexis Lawrence. "We didn't let tough moments discourage us, and we stayed together. Having four people in double figures and finishing with 18 assists is always nice to see. We had some really good possessions of team basketball. We just need to stay out of foul trouble and move our feet a little better defensively."
 
The Stars led by as many as 14 points late in the second quarter after trailing by eight at one point in the first quarter.
 
WBC had a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter by Emerie Adams knocked down a three-pointer to start the final frame to trigger a 7-0 run. OCU never trailed again but needed a pair of clutch free throws by Lauren Rowan with nine seconds left to hold on for the win.
 
It was OCU's first time scoring more than 80 points since last December. Williams Baptist scored a 75-63 win over the Stars in Oklahoma City last season.
 
Rowan had four steals in the game to go with four assists. Jazmin Adams had a pair of blocked shots.
 
The 1-0 Stars play an exhibition at Oklahoma Baptist on Wednesday.