EDMOND, Okla. - The Oklahoma Christian Lady Eagles (6-13, LSC 3-12) will host their first game back in the Nest since Jan. 18th. The Lady Eagles the Javelinas of Texas A&M University-Kingsville (13-8, LSC 9-6), Thursday, Feb. 6th, starting at 5:30 pm. As senior guard, Kate Bradley is just two points shy of joining the elite club of 1000-point career scorers. The Lady Eagles host the Dustdevils of Texas A&M International University (5-16, LSC 4-11) for a Saturday afternoon matchup on Feb. 8th at 1 p.m.
The Lady Eagles Outlook (6-13, LSC 3-12)
The Lady Eagles want to return to the win column and end their seven-game losing streak. With seven games remaining in the season and five out of the eighth-place spot in the Lone Star Conference, the Lady Eagles will be looking to start a late-season run for an all-out push for a place in the postseason.
For this to happen, they will need senior guard Kate Bradley to continue her stellar final collegiate season. She is set to solidify herself in OC history by crossing the 1000 career point mark, sitting at 998, entering the game against the Javelinas.
The Lady Eagles will need to see their bench step up as they have in the last few games, as OC has seen increased production in freshman forward Reagan Berry and junior guard Trinity Dobbs.
Coach Markieth Brown will need his team to find a good rhythm from the field and clean up on the board and on both ends of the floor.
Scouting the Javelinas (13-8, LSC 9-6)
Head coach Michael Madrid, in his seventh season at the helm, has his Javilinas in prime position to finish the season strong and advance to the postseason. The team is currently sixth in the Lone Star Conference standings.
The Javelinas play lockdown defense, led by the trio of upperclassmen Shelby Ray, Abby Bala, and Janessa Payne. They hold opponents to shoot below their averages (37%) and play the game at a slower pace, averaging only about 59 points in a contest and holding their opponents below an average of 55. The Javelinas also move the ball around well to find open teammates, averaging almost 14 assists a game and having a turnover margin over their opponents of 1.2.
Series History
The Lady Eagles and Javelinas are still early in their matchup history, having only met seven times entering this week. Both teams have seen a run of wins, with OC claiming three of the first four matchups before Kingsville went on a four-game win streak.
Last Match Up - Jan. 11th OC 42 - Kingsville 63
In Kingsville, Texas, in early January, the Javelinas opened the matchup with an outrageous first 10 minutes, putting up 25 points, shooting 4-4 from three-point range and 75% overall from the field. The lead set early by Janessa Payne, Kaycee Groves, and Abby Bala, combing for seven made threes, was too much for the visiting Lady Eagles, handing them a 42-63 loss.
Both scored in double figures, and Kate Bradley and Jordan Francisco played well for the Lady Eagles. They led to a 16-point fourth quarter but could not close the 20-plus-point gap.
Scouting the Dustdevils (5-16, LSC 4-11)
First-year head coach Jaida Williams is looking to finish this season strong by avenging the loss suffered earlier this season at the hands of the Lady Eagles.
Coming off two home losses last week, the Dustdevils still sit one game ahead of the Lady Eagles.
Freshman Trinity Chears and junior Josie Igherighe lead the Dustdevils. Both players average 12 points per contest and make things happen by getting a few steals each game.
Series History
The Lady Eagles hold a 13-10 series lead over the Dustdevils after ending the three-game win streak of the Dustdevils earlier this season.
Last Match Up - Jan. 9th OC 65 - TAMIU 52
The Dustdevils jumped out to hold a two-point lead after the first quarter, but with the stellar play of freshman Ciara Harris and senior Kate Bradley, the Lady Eagles stormed back to take a four-point into the half. The Dustdevils, led by Trinity Chears and Angelique Morgan, fought back to outscore the Lady Eagles in the third quarter and sat just one possession back in the final frame. The Lady Eagles then took control of the paint led by Elikya Baseyila, finishing with 17 points and leading the Lady Eagles to outscore the Dustdevils by 11 in the fourth quarter and claiming the 65-52 LSC road win.
