OKLAHOMA CITY – The St. Mary's Women's Basketball team almost pulled off its second-straight improbable comeback at Oklahoma Christian on Saturday afternoon, but the Eagles were a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line over the last two minutes to hold on for the 64-53 win.
With its first basket of the fourth quarter, Oklahoma Christian (7-7, 7-6 Lone Star Conference) led by 18 points, 56-38, but just like Friday, the Rattlers (6-8, 6-8 Lone Star) went on a big run, scoring 13 of the next 15 points to cut the deficit to five, 58-53 with 2:29 remaining. The Eagles went 6-for-6 at the free throw line over the final two minutes to secure the season split.
Senior forward
Hannah Wilson (Fredericksburg, Texas) notched her seventh-straight double-double and her eighth of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Wilson also tied the school record going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line.
Sophomore guard
Briley Perkins (Houston) nailed four three-pointers – for the sixth time this season – to score 13 points and senior
Audrey Wandji (Houston) chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds. Wandji also made the first three-pointer of her career and she is now 1-for-4.
The third senior on the roster,
Mya Culiver (Rockwall, Texas) led the team with five assists and three steals as the trio concludes their final regular season contest. The Rattlers did earn the No. 8 seed at the Lone Star Conference Tournament, so they have at least one more chance to play together.
After shooting just 13.3 percent from the field in the second and third quarters, the Rattlers rebounded in a big way, shooting 42.86 percent in the final stanza while mounting the comeback. Both teams were 21-for-24 at the free throw line (87.5 percent).
The Rattlers will face top-ranked Lubbock Christian in the opening round of the Lone Star Tournament on Tuesday, March 2 at 5 p.m.
INDIVIDUAL PLAYER & TEAM NOTES
- Head Coach Jason Martens has led St. Mary's to the postseason conference tournament all 15Â seasons he has been at the helm.
- Hannah Wilson recorded her seventh-consecutive double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. She has totaled eight double-doubles on the year.
- Briley Perkins sank four three-pointers for the sixth time this season and the fifth time in the last seven games. Over the seven contests, Perkins has made 24 from beyond the arc.
- Senior Audrey Wandji made the first three-pointer of her career during an 11-0 run for the Rattlers in the first quarter. She is now 1-for-4 with the Rattlers.
- The loss snapped a four-game road winning streak for the Rattlers. St. Mary's finishes the regular season with a 4-5 record on the road and four of the losses are to teams ranked in the top 15 in the nation.
