CHICKASHA, OKLA. – MACU Women's Basketball rally behind a season-high 32 points from Junior forward Caitlynn Jordan to defeat Science & Arts 70-61 and return to the win column on Monday afternoon, avenging a home loss to the Drovers earlier this season.  
 
SCORE

• Mid-America Christian 70, Science & Arts 61
  • (RV) Mid-America Christian: (14-4, 9-3 SAC)
  • (RV) Science & Arts: (14-4, 9-3 SAC)

TOP PERFORMERS

• Caitlynn Jordan: 32 Points, 11-19 FG, 4-11 3FG, 6-8 FT, 5 Reb, 2 Stl, 1 Ast
• Talayah Thomas: 10 Points, 4-4 FT, 5 Reb, 2 Ast
• Mia Smith: 9 Points, 4-4 FT, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 Stl
• Sincere Roberts: 8 Points, 7 Reb, 3 Stl, 2 Ast

GAME SUMMARY

• First Quarter
  • The Drovers struck first with a quick 6-0 start in the opening 90 minutes. Caitlynn Jordan opened the scoring for MACU with a three from the top of the arc. However, USAO again found rhythm on the offensive side to take an 11-3 lead into the first quarter media timeout.
  • Mia Smith scored the second of only two field goals for MACU in the opening quarter out of the timeout. The shooting struggles continued to close the quarter shooting 2/15, but the Evangels' aggressive play earned free throws where Talayah Thomas went 4/4 and cut the lead to 15-12 after the opening 10 minutes.
• Second Quarter
  • The Evangels jumped out on a 7-0 run in the opening two minutes through Talayah Thomas connecting from range during the stretch for MACU's first lead at 19-15.
  • The lead grew as large as 12 for MACU with 2:45 remaining as once again Thomas cashed in for three, while other Evangels continued to add more from the free throw line.
  • The Drovers rallied late in the quarter after falling behind by double digits, as USAO trimmed the lead to five at 36-31 at halftime.
• Third Quarter
  • The Evangels opened the second half with a perfect 7-0 run with a pair of finishes at the rim from Jordan and Taliah Lee. Lee added three more from the corner as the Evangels lead returned to 12 at 43-31, three minutes into the quarter.
  • Jordan continued a good scoring afternoon with another triple in the closing minutes. Followed by two more from the line from Mia Smith to give the Evangels its largest lead of the game of 15 at 55-40. The Drovers scored on consecutive possessions before Jordan laid it in at the buzzer to lead 57-44, headed into the final quarter.
• Fourth Quarter
  • The Drovers aimed for a comeback rallying off seven consecutive points in the opening minute to cut the Evangel lead down to six and force a timeout from MACU. Jordan responded with the next seven points herself with two buckets inside the paint, while cashing in from deep to restore an 11-point advantage with 6:30 left.
  • The Evangels went scoreless over the next four minutes, but the defense remained intact, allowing just one field goal during their scoreless run. The Drovers struck within six, but once again Jordan canned a triple from the corner with just over 60 seconds remaining. Caitlynn put the game on ice knocking down a 12-footer on the final possession and secured a MACU bounce back win 71-60 in Chickasha.

GAME NOTES

• MACU struggled from the field at 22-63 (34.9%), while shooting 8-33 (24.2%) from three, and an efficient 18-of-21 (85.7%) from the free throw line. The Drovers shot 24-60 (40.0%) from the field, 2-12 (16.7%) from three, and 11-19 (57.9%) from the free throw line.    
• Mid-America Christian had just two double digit scorers as Caitlynn Jordan scored a season-high 32 points off 11-19 (57.9%) from the field, 4-11 (36.4%) from three, and 6-8 (75%) from the free throw line. Talayah Thomas added 10 points and a perfect 4-4 from the line.
• Taliah Lee snagged a team-high eight rebounds, while Sincere Roberts added seven boards. Thomas, Lee, Roberts, Mia Smith, and Aniya Smith all dished out two assists.
• The Evangels dominated defensively by forcing 11 turnovers with seven steals and three blocks. Taliah Lee continues to show elite rim protection tallying all three Evangels' blocks, while Sincere Roberts led MACU with three steals.
• Mid-America Christian improves to 9-3 in Sooner Athletic Conference play, as the Evangels get a game back and sit joint second with Nelson and Science & Arts, remaining just one game back of the SAC leaders Langston.   
• MACU improved its all-time record against USAO to 28-18. The Evangels avenge the loss they suffered at home to the Drovers with the road win in Chickasha.  

UP NEXT
Mid-America Christian remains on the road as the Evangels take the short drive across town and face Oklahoma City on Thursday night tipping off at 6 p.m. inside the Abe Lemons Arena.