OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 2, 2019) – A question plenty of folks have entering this basketball season is what Oklahoma Christian will look like without two-time All-American Addy Clift and her nation-leading scoring average.

It's only one exhibition game, but the Lady Eagles apparently still are going to fire up plenty of 3-pointers and are putting a renewed emphasis on improving defensively. Both those aspects of their game were on display Saturday afternoon as OC rolled to a 78-56 win over York (Neb.) in the annual homecoming contest in the Eagles' Nest.

OC knocked down nine of 21 3-point attempts, led by senior Connor Atkinson and junior Tyra Peck, who each went 3-of-5 from behind the arc. The Lady Eagles also outrebounded York 48-39, with junior forward Katie Mayo grabbing nine rebounds and three other players – junior Maddison Collyer, Peck and freshman Emma Epperly – snagging five apiece.

"I appreciated the energy and effort that everyone put in on defense," OC coach Stephanie Findley said. "That effort helped us control the boards. We started off kind of slow from behind the 3-point line but then finished at 43 percent behind some strong shooting from Tyra and Connor. I'm glad to see them get off to a hot start."

OC trailed only once, at 4-3, against the Panthers, opening the game on a 16-5 run that included three baskets by center Carolyne Lawley and a 3-pointer and two free throws by center Kendall Blackburn.

The Lady Eagles led 21-10 after one quarter and 40-21 at halftime, holding York to 21.1-percent shooting (8 of 38). The Panthers improved only slightly in the second half, finishing at 31.5 percent (23 of 73) from the field.

OC extended its lead to as many as 32 points early in the fourth quarter.

Peck led the Lady Eagles with 13 points while Atkinson had 11. Collyer finished with eight assists, as OC had 21 assists on 25 field goals, a positive sign of ball-sharing.

TaShay Jackson scored 12 points and Kiara Pesina added 11 for York – an NAIA opponent – while Sadie Pittman had 11 rebounds to go with four points.

OC will play its final exhibition game Tuesday, when the Lady Eagles journey to southwest Oklahoma City to face another NAIA opponent, Mid-America Christian, for a 6 p.m. game.

Game highlights: https://youtu.be/ASqk8CM4yHI