OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels staged a furious rally in the second half but came up short as the Wayland Baptist University Flying Queens hung on for an 81-73 win Thursday evening (Feb. 6) inside the Gaulke Activity Center. 

The Flying Queens appeared as if they would coast to an easy win by extending an 18-point halftime edge up to 23 points at the 11:31 mark of the second half.

That's when the Lady Evangels (13-10, 7-7 SAC) made noise as Ashlee Ferguson hit consecutive treys to begin a 14-5 run that trimmed the deficit to 14 with 7:12 remaining.

WBU again looked as though they'd pull away by sinking eight straight free throws that stretched the lead back to 73-54 with 5:42 left.

The Lady Evangels again refused to go away and outscored the Flying Queens 13-3 over the next four minutes on the strength of a three by Cheyenne Been along with a three-point play and trey from Lauren McKinney to claw within 76-69 at the 1:19 mark.

But three free throws by Christie Mooney and a layup by Angeleigh Davis finally put it away for the Flying Queens.

The Lady Evangels hung tight early and had multiple chances to take the lead when the Flying Queens (12-9, 9-3 SAC) clamped down defensively midway through the opening half.

WBU held the Lady Evangels to only one field goal over the final 11 minutes of the half and used a 17-4 burst to turn a two-point lead into a 38-21 cushion. 

Davis scored seven of her 18 first-half points to fuel the spurt that allowed the Flying Queens to take control and lead 40-22 at the break.

The Lady Evangels got a career night from Tierra Brown, who posted her first career double-double with 15 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.  Been scored 15, while Ferguson and McKinney each chipped in with 13 points. 

Davis led all scorers with 23 points and Mooney also had a double-double of 15 points and 12 boards for WBU. Stephanie Afunugo added 12 points.

The Lady Evangels will next play at Northwood University next Thursday evening (Feb. 13) at 6 p.m.