EDMOND, Okla. - The Oklahoma Christian Lady Eagles (5-4, LSC 2-3) open up the 2025 part of the season hosting two highly touted and nationally ranked opponents in the No.18 Patriots of UT Tyler (9-2, LSC 4-1) and the 2024 national runners-up, No. 2 Pioneers of Texas Woman's (11-1, LSC 4-1) in the Payne Athletic Center for an uncommon Friday and Sunday matchup Lone Star Conference weekend. 

The Lady Eagles will matchup first with the Patriots on Jan. 3rd with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. OC will turn around on Sunday, Jan. 5t,h for a 1 p.m. early afternoon game against the Pioneers. 

Eagles Outlook 

Head Coach Markeith Brown leads his Lady Eagles into a tough stretch of the schedule, relying heavily on the scoring and leadership of his veteran players with junior forward Taylor Jackson and senior guards Nakia Cullom and Kate Bradley, who account for 57% of the Lady Eagles scoring and are sitting ranked in the top of several categories in the Lone Star, including both Jackson and Bradley being in the top-10 in scoring. 

Since the start of conference play, Oklahoma Christian has seen great production from senior forward Jordan Francisco, accounting for 14 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and three blocks. Francisco continues to add a layer to the Lady Eagles' defense, disrupting the opponent's post-game, which will be critical for the Lady Eagles in their next two matchups. 

As Lone Star Conference play ramps up, the Lady Eagles still lead the team in free-throw percentage, shooting just under 80%, and are still in the top half in scoring, averaging 70 points a game. 

Scouting the Patriots 

The Patriots of UT Tyler are in the fourth season under Head Coach Rebecca Alvidrez, looking to continue the success of last season's remarkable run that ended in the South Central Regional finals, losing to eventual national runners-up, Texas Woman's. 

Alvidrez returned seven from last year's roster, accounting for under 50% of the previous season's scoring. 

In the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association rankings, UT Tyler is ranked No. 18. Entering the 2025 calendar, it has only two losses, both to top-five teams (Lubbock Christian and Montana State Billings). It won by a massive 10-point margin in November over Texas Woman's. 

Three players account for over 50% of the Patriots scoring, including reigning Offensive Player of the Week, Ella Bradley. Bradley received this honor after an outstanding shooting performance against No.2 Montana State Billings, going 5-5 from being arch and finishing with 21 points. Bradley turned around with 15 points in the Patriot's next game, finishing the weekend shooting 80% from three. 

UT Tyler will also look to junior Meagan Mendazona and Polina Latysheva to shoot well from long-range and impact defense, recording several steals each game. 

Series History - UT Tyler Leads 6-2

With the two teams' first meeting in 2020, OC won the first two matchups before UT Tyler would start on a six-game streak over the Lady Eagles. 

In the two meetings during the 2023-24 season, the Patriots would win both games by a combined margin of just four points. 

The first matchup in Texas came down to the wire, as Kate Bradley hit a three with just seconds left on the clock before a foul would allow the Patriots to grab the two-point lead back at the free throw line. The last-second heave by the Lady Eagles would fall short. 

• Kate Bradley led the Lady Eagles with 12 points, and Ahniya Melton and Taylor Jackson each scored 5 points. 

• Ella Bradley was the highest-scoring Patriot returning from last year, finishing with 11 points, followed by Meagan Mendazona with nine points. 

The second matchup in the Nest followed the first. It was a nail-biting contest that disappointed the Lady Eagles once more, with the Patriots clinching another 2-point victory. 

• Taylor Jackson finished with a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, accompanied by a season-high performance from Nakia Cullom with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Kate Bradley finished with 12 points in the contest. 

• Meagan Mendazona and Ella Bradley played well again in this matchup, combining 22 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 

Scouting the Pioneers 

After falling to Minnesota State in the National Championship game, Head Coach Beth Jillson, who was named LSC Co-Coach of the Year and a finalist for National Coach of the Year, returned every player to this year's roster, including last year's LSC Player of the Year and this season's Preseason Player of the Year, Ashley Ingram. 

While TWU does not aim to fire many deep shots, multiple players can hit from beyond the arch when needed but use it to create space for the game in the paint. The Pioneers are averaging just under 15 assists per game, holding a six assists margin over their opponents. 

While the Pioneers' bench is talented, four players contribute 68% of the team's scoring: forwards Ashley Ingram and Scout Huffman, guards Leila Patel and Averee Kleinhans.

Series History - Texas Woman's Leads 8-2

TWU has won the last six matchups between the two teams, including last year's home-and-home matchups, by double-digit margins. 

In game one at TWU, the Pioneers won the battle in the paint, 77-52, against the Lady Eagles. 

• Kendall Brown came off the bench for the Lady Eagles and gave a spark of energy, finishing with seven points in the contest. Kate Bradley, Taylor Jackson, and Ahniya Melton combined for 14 points and seven rebounds. 

• TWU was led by Scout Huffman's 26-point performance, partnered with Ashley Ingram's 10-point, 10-rebound double-double. 

TWU would reign victorious in the Nest with a 78-68 win over the Lady Eagles. 

• Former Lady Eagles Brooklin Bain led the fight against TWU, finishing with a double-double. Kate Bradley shot well from deep, going 4-6, 14 points. 

• The Pioneers scored 40 of their 78 in the paint, with five TWU players scoring in double-figures.