Wichita Falls, Texas - Oklahoma Christian (6-11, LSC 3-10), needing a win, traveled to take on the Lone Star Conference leading score and the nation's leader in all DII in double-doubles, Zarria Carter and the Mustangs of Midwestern State (10-10, LSC 8-6). Despite the historic 30-point performance from a true freshman Ciara Harris, the Lady Eagles fall short 66-69 in Wichita Falls, Texas. 

First Quarter 

Despite the lady Eagles starting the game at tip with a one-zero lead due to a clock malfunction in the Mustang's gym, Midwestern State was able to jump out to score on their first few possessions, giving them an early 7 to 3 lead in the first quarter.

With Midwestern State shooting just under 65% from the field, they entered the second quarter with an eight-point lead behind a 12-point opening quarter from conference-leading scorer Zarria Carter.

The Lady Eagles kept themselves in position to strike, missing just one from the foul line in seven attempts and a five-point quarter from Kate Bradley. 

Second Quarter 

The Lady Eagles came out of the second quarter looking to make a push before the half, and standout Ciara Harris, a freshman, scored too quickly in the baskets. 

The Lady Eagles turned the tables slightly in the second quarter behind Harris and Trinity Dobbs off the bench, eventually pulling within one basket of the Mustangs.

But the Mustangs were able to climb out of their slump behind the nation's double-double leader, Carter, who continued an outstanding performance in the game, going on a 6-0 run midway through the second to extend the lead back to eight going into the half. 

This game was decided from the free-throw line and in the paint, as both teams shot well from the foul line and combined for 44 points in the first half. For the Lady Eagles to find a way to top the Mustangs in the second half, they will have to shut down Carter, who finished the first 20 minutes of play with 25 points and nine rebounds.

Third Quarter 

The lady Eagles came out of the locker room and, ahead of steam, looked to shut down the Mustangs offense and Carter. Behind the end, with outstanding efforts of freshman Ciara Harris, who outscored the Mustangs herself 15 to 13 in the quarter, the lady Eagles took the lead late in the third before Trinity King from of the Mustangs was able to finish and-one as time expired in the third quarter to take a one-point lead.

The lady Eagles turn the tables on Carter, holding her to just one point and causing her to pick up two personal fouls, forcing her to play the rest of the game timid with three personal fouls going into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter
In the final frame of play, separated by just one point, the two teams locked down on defense, each holding the other to limited scoring.  

The Lady Eagles shut down the conference-leading scorer, Carter, holding her to just three points in the second half. Still, the Mustangs found scoring elsewhere on the roster. The rest of the Mustangs combined for 27 points in the second half, compared to 14 for the rest of the team in the first half.

Free throws became the advantage as the Lady Eagles and the Mustangs fought back and forth to gain a lead late in the game, but the Mustangs were able to knock down their last six free throws to hold on for the 66-69 win over the Lady Eagles. 

Notes 

• Ciara Harris - Harris became the first freshman in the Oklahoma Christian DII era to score 30 points in a single game. Harris shot 66% from the field and 70% from the foul line, propelled by a 15-point third quarter, outsourcing the Mustangs. Harris also finished with four steals and five rebounds. 

• Kate Bradley - The senior guard struggled from the field but still managed to help the Lady Eagles, scoring eight from the foul line. Bradley, leading the nation in minutes played per game, also dished out six assists, grabbed three rebounds, and two steals.

• Reagan Berry - Berry has continued to prove more and more production off the bench, finishing with 11 points, including going 5-5 from the free throw line and three rebounds. 

• Nakia Cullom - Cullom played tough, finishing with eight points and four rebounds. 

• Jordan Francisco & Ewa Kielar - The two forwards played hard, combining for six points and seven rebounds. 

Up Next 

The Lady Eagles head back to Texas week when they take on another set of ranked opponents—taking on No. 2 Texas Women's Thursday, Jan. 30th at 6 p.m. in Denton, Texas, before traveling to Tyler, Texas, to face off with No. 14 Patriot of UT Tyler on Saturday, Feb. 1st at 1 p.m.