Weatherford, Okla. -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels trimmed a 13-point second half deficit down to two late in the second half, but the rally fell short as the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Lady Bulldogs won 81-74 tonight (Nov. 14) in an exhibition contest in Weatherford, Okla.
The Lady Evangels (4-0) trailed 71-58 at the 6:14 mark of the second half when consecutive layups by Lakota Thompson started a 14-3 spurt and back-to-back buckets by Alexia Kelley capped the run that made it 74-72 with 2:10 left.
Following a turnover by the Lady Bulldogs, the Lady Evangels had a chance to tie or take the lead but committed a turnover of their own that led to a layup from Chelsea Bates with 1:59 left that made it a two-possession game.
From there, the Lady Evangels missed their next three shots that led to SWOSU stretching the lead back to seven at 79-72 with just 35 seconds left.
After two free throws by Kelley kept the Lady Evangels alive, Jennifer Williams split a pair free throws to extend the lead back to six and another turnover with 11 seconds remaining put it away for the Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Bulldogs, an NCAA D-II squad out of the Great American Conference, led for much of the first half and went into the break with a 39-31 edge.
SWOSU build the lead to 10 on two occasions early in the second half before the Lady Evangels charged back behind threes by Ashlee Ferguson and Felicia Foster that sparked a 10-2 run that cut the deficit to just two at the 15:59 mark.
The deficit was still two when the Lady Bulldogs gained some breathing room with a 12-4 push that extended the lead back to double-figures.
Kelley paced the Lady Evangels by already posting her fourth double-double of the season, 20 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Ferguson scored 19 and Felicia Foster added 13 points.
Kimmi Sawatzky scored a game-high 22 points to lead four Lady Bulldogs in double-figures. McKinsey Schumpert also recorded a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards.
The Lady Evangels will next play Tuesday evening (Nov. 18) at Bethany College. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. in Lindsborg, Kan.
