BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (11-3-09) – The play of a senior and multiple freshman were the story of the game, as the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Lady Eagles basketball team opened the season with a 69-64 victory over Friends University (Kan.) on Tuesday night.
Many nights when a team puts a total of nine freshmen on the floor, including starting three, the youth would dominate the post game storyline. However, senior captain Stacie Bell helped her young teammates out, dropping a career high 28-points on the Lady Falcons.
When her Lady Eagle teammates needed her the most, Bell knocked down five of seven shots from behind the arc, dished out four assists, and played excellent defense to lead the Wesleyan women. Freshman center Rebecca Schluter complimented Bell well, recording a double-double in her first collegiate game with 12-points and 11-rebounds.
Each with seven points, freshmen Brittany Minx and Kaitie McMahan both played well in just under 14 minutes of game time each. McMahan also had four rebounds and a block.
In the second half, the Lady Eagles had as much as a 15-point lead, but the Lady Falcons were able to cut it to just one with about 1:30 to go in the ball game. However, the play of four young freshmen, and Bell, for the Lady Eagles were just two much. Freshman starting point guard Holly Smith was able to knock down two clutch free throws with 11 seconds to go to seal the Lady Falcons fate.
Up next for the Lady Eagles, they travel to Newton, Kan., on Friday to face Bethel College at 7 p.m. The next day, they are schedule to face McPherson College (Kan.). The game time for Saturday’s contest is still to be determined.