January 6, 2025

Chickasha, OK – The Nelson University Lady Lions displayed resilience in their second consecutive road conference game of the new year, but ultimately fell to the University of Science and Arts Drovers 73-58 in a hard-fought Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) showdown Monday evening at Drover Fieldhouse.

The Lady Lions, eager to build momentum after their previous tight contest against the Drovers (a narrow 61-60 loss), were unable to overcome a determined Drovers squad. The game opened with Nelson struggling offensively, shooting just 13.3% from the field in the first quarter and trailing 17-6 after the opening frame. Despite the early deficit, the Lady Lions refused to fold, gradually finding their rhythm as the game progressed.

Paris Miller led the charge for the Lady Lions, delivering an all-around performance with 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal. Ashley Gonzalez provided a spark from beyond the arc, hitting three triples and finishing with 9 points. Cailyn Tucker showcased her tenacity, contributing 10 points and leading the team with 5 free throws while crashing the boards with 5 rebounds.

The Lady Lions' shooting improved in the second half, highlighted by a third-quarter surge where they converted 38.8% of their attempts and knocked down three triples to outscore the Drovers 23-17 in the final quarter. However, the Drovers' relentless rebounding (a 45-36 advantage) and interior dominance proved too much to overcome, with the home team outscoring Nelson 36-16 in the paint.

Despite the loss, Nelson showed glimpses of their potential. Lauryn Scalice added 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting, and Bailee Dorris provided a spark off the bench with 4 points and 2 rebounds. Mikah Johnson and Autumn Moore chipped in with 3 points each.

The Lady Lions exhibited grit and determination throughout the contest, a promising sign as they continue their SAC schedule. With a focus on execution and consistency, Nelson looks to bounce back in their next outing.
 

Next Up?
The Lady Lions will continue their SAC journey on Thursday, January 9, as they travel to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, to face John Brown University at 6:00 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-NELSON.