Cold-shooting Master’s Falls to Oklahoma Baptist

The Master’s College had no answer for Oklahoma Baptist’s balanced scoring and defense Thursday.

Kristi Turley scored 22 points to lead five Oklahoma Baptist players in double figures and the Bison held Master’s to 32.8% shooting en route to a 91-66 victory in the first round of the NAIA Division I women’s basketball tournament at Oman Arena.

Master’s (27-6) fell behind, 43-28, in the first half and trailed by as many as 33 points in the second half.

The Mustangs made only 22 of 67 field goals and committed 24 turnovers. All-American forward Elizabeth Hansell, Master’s leading scorer, made three of 17 shots on her way to a quiet 14 points. She had 12 rebounds.

Guards Sara Scheffer and Nikki Hover were the only Master’s players who shot at least 50% from the field. Scheffer made six of 12 shots, including three three-point baskets, and scored a team-high 19 points, and Hover made seven of 13 shots and scored 14.

The Master’s bench was virtually nonexistent, being outscored, 21-6. Mustang reserves made only three of 15 shots.

Oklahoma Baptist (19-10) took advantage of Master’s cold shooting, making 31 of 59 field goals (52.5%), including seven of 14 from three-point range.

Turley led the way, making eight of 11 shots and pulling down 11 rebounds. Casi Cox scored 17 points, Tonya Miller contributed 14, Amy Nichols had 12 and reserve Melissa Brown added 11 for the Bison.

Oklahoma Baptist, seeded No. 12, will play unseeded Southern California College in a second-round game today.