Oklahoma City, OK – After a tough loss to John Brown University two days prior, the Lady Cats visited the Stars of Oklahoma City University for their last road game of a six-game stretch.
After a 6-0 run from the Stars, Logan Jones made a layup to get the Lady Cats on the board. Blythe Benefield followed with a three-point play and with 3:01 left in the first, Susie Moran and Logan Jones both provided buckets for the Lady Cats, cutting their deficit to 9-13. Another Susie Moran layup was followed by two made free throws from Keara Mattingley and the Lady Cats had pulled even. Closing out the opening frame, Taylor Rush nailed a three-pointer, and the score was knotted up at 16-16.
The Stars would score six straight points again to open the second quarter, with Logan Jones putting an end to the run with two successful free throws. Keara Mattingley hit a layup, but the Lady Cats still faced a 20-26 deficit. Buckets from Logan Jones, Keara Mattingley, and Blythe Benefield highlighted a 10-3 run from the Lady Cats, who gained the lead at the end of the half, up 30-29.
After almost three scoreless minutes from the Lady Cats, Logan Jones nailed a jumper to get back on track. Susie Moran hit a layup, and a Taylor Rush layup off of her own steal put the Lady Cats back ahead, 36-35. Keara Mattingley scored another two points, and Logan Jones drew a foul and went two-for-two from the line. Up 40-39, Taylor Rush drilled a three to extend the Lady Cat lead. Keara Mattingley put up two more layups to add to her scoring total, and Logan Jones added a free throw. The Stars would hold the Lady Cats for the last minute of the quarter, and the Lady Cats trailed 48-49 going into the fourth.
The Stars were first on the board again, extending their lead to six. Keara Mattingley drained a free throw and Abbey Linville nailed a three with 4:43 left in the game, cutting the Lady Cat deficit to 52-55. A Logan Jones jumper inched the Lady Cats closer, but the Stars continued to answer. Susie Moran pulled down a defensive rebound and connected on a traditional three-point play to tie the game, 57-57. Keara Mattingley turned a steal into a layup to take the lead with 2:49 left to play. The defense for both teams took center stage and neither team scored until a Susie Moran free throw put the Lady Cats up 60-57. The Lady Cats were looking to continue their impressive defense, having only given up eight points in the fourth. The Stars connected on a pair of free throws but the Lady Cats were able to run the clock down and secure the 60-59 win.
Keara Mattingley led the Lady Cats in both points and rebounds with 17 and 14, respectively, posting her second straight double-double. Logan Jones provided 15 points, and Susie Moran scored 10. Blythe Benefield led the team in assists with 5.
The Lady Cats return to action on Thursday, November 21 against Southwestern Christian University at home.