November 21, 2024

Goodwell, OK – The Nelson University Lady Lions roared to a decisive 62-35 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) Thursday evening at the Anchor D Arena at Oscar Williams Field House. Powered by strong second and third quarters, Nelson displayed a well-rounded team effort to secure the conference road victory. 

The Lady Lions entered the game hungry for redemption after a challenging season start. A slow-paced first quarter saw Nelson establish an early 13-8 lead behind steady shooting and defensive stops. The second quarter belonged to the Lady Lions, who broke the game wide open with a 21-point scoring surge, taking a commanding 34-21 advantage into halftime. 

Sophomore standout Ashley Gonzalez was electric off the bench, leading all scorers with 11 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting from the field. Gonzalez's long-range accuracy, including three three-pointers, energized the Lady Lions when they needed it most. Kate Miller also contributed 11 points, combining sharp perimeter shooting with clutch free throws to keep Nelson in control.

In the third quarter, Nelson continued their dominance, shooting a blistering 53.8% from the field. Paris Miller's hustle on the boards shone bright, as she grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to go along with her six points. The Lady Lions' defense suffocated OPSU, allowing just 12 points in the period. By the start of the fourth quarter, Nelson had ballooned their lead to 54-33, leaving little doubt about the game's outcome.

The Lady Lions' depth proved instrumental, with the bench contributing an impressive 31 points. Wendy Clemmons and Kyla McMinn added key minutes and defensive pressure, while Lauryn Scalice and Julianna Matlock provided valuable support in the paint. Nelson's dominance on second-chance opportunities, outscoring OPSU 14-2 in that category, underscored their hustle and relentless play.

Defensively, Nelson forced turnovers and limited OPSU's scoring opportunities, holding them to a mere two points in the final quarter. The Lady Lions' largest lead of the game, 29 points, came in the closing seconds, as they left Goodwell with a statement win.

Statistically, the Lady Lions shot 40.4% from the field and connected on 8-of-23 from beyond the arc. Their disciplined free-throw shooting (75%) and commitment to winning the rebounding battle (42-35) were pivotal in sealing the win.
 

What's Next?
The Lady Lions will head to Plainview, Texas, for another conference road test against Wayland Baptist University. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM.

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.