OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels are now 6-1 after a thrilling, 100-91 overtime victory over the LSU-Shreveport Pilots in the final day of the OCU Classic in Oklahoma City, Okla. It's an impressive win for the Lady Evangels, as the Pilots entered the season receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Preseason Coaches' poll.
To get to overtime, the Lady Evangels needed some late heroics from Sarai Rodriguez, who nailed two treys in the final 21 seconds of regulation to help overcome a four-point deficit.
Rodriguez's first trey made it a one-point game and following two made free throws by the Pilots, she nailed another from long-distance to tie the score at 83-83 with 11 seconds remaining.
The Lady Evangels then got a crucial stop on the defensive end, including a timely block by D'Shala Powell to help send the game into the extra session.
Once in overtime, it was all Lady Evangels, who outscored the Pilots 17-8.
A free throw by Brittany Thompson started a run of eight straight points to begin the extra period.
Rodriguez scored four points of the 8-0 run that was sandwiched around a three by Nevada Denton.
Following a layup by Kourtney Pennywell for the Pilots, Mikki Flores stepped up with two at the charity stripe and then nailed a huge trey that pushed the MACU edge to 96-87 with just 1:27 left.
After the Pilots scored four straight to come within five, Rodriguez and Denton each hit two free throws over the final 16 seconds to put it away.
The Lady Evangels needed a big fourth quarter after twice falling behind by 10 points in the third quarter and heading to the final period trailing by eight.
Flores and Rodriguez provided that for MACU, each scoring 10 points in the fourth to help the Lady Evangels outscore the Pilots 28-20.
Flores put in a career-high 24 points for the Lady Evangels, while also dishing out a team-high seven assists. Flores shot 6-of-8 overall and made all four of her three-point attempts along with 8-of-9 shooting at the foul line.
Rodriguez scored 18 and Powell had 16 points. Jamie Lamb scored 13 and Denton chipped in with 11 points. Brittany Thompson pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds for the Lady Evangels.
Pennywell led all scorers with 25 points for the Pilots (1-4) and also had 11 boards. Courtney Randle scored 20, with Quiana Tucker adding 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Bria Freeland finished with 15 points and Chaterra Cage had 12 points.
The Lady Evangels will next host NCAA D-II member and former Sooner Athletic Conference program Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday evening (Nov. 22) at 6 pm inside the Gaulke Activity Center.
