Newcomers, Clift shine in exhibition rout of Manhattan Christian

 

November 3, 2017



OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 2, 2017) – Addy Clift looked to be in midseason form, while Oklahoma Christian's newcomers showed flashes of considerable promise to lead the Lady Eagles past Manhattan Christian (Kan.) 90-58 in an exhibition game on Thursday night in the Eagles' Nest.

Clift, a preseason All-Heartland Conference selection, poured in 23 points in just 22 minutes and went 5-of-10 from 3-point range to lead OC, while a pair of freshmen – Maddison Collyer and Delyssa Miller – and junior-college transfer Carolyne Lawley nearly stole the show for the Lady Eagles.

Miller, the niece of former OC player Bill Pink, scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 18 minute of action. Collyer, a heralded point guard from Harrah, added 10 points and five steals in 20 minutes. The 6-foot-2 Lawley, who previously played at Northwestern Oklahoma State and Murray State College in her hometown of Tishomingo, showed strong post moves while finishing with six points, four assists and three blocked shots.

Yet another freshman, Katie Mayo of Newcastle, added nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots for OC, helping the Lady Eagles post a whopping 57-35 rebounding edge over Manhattan Christian, which suited up only eight players.

"I'm still learning about them, and they're still learning about me," OC basketball coach Stephanie Findley said of her team's 10 newcomers. "Hopefully it's going to be a fun journey this year, but we've got a long way to go. I was real pleased with how we performed tonight, especially on offense, but we've got to get in here and start working on our defense a little bit."

OC also took advantage of 27 Manhattan Christian turnovers and won in lopsided fashion even though the Thunder went 12-of-28 from 3-point range. Katherine Wenger hit 7-of-11 from behind the arc and led the Thunder with 23 points, but only one other Manhattan Christian player – Haleigh Hipster, with 10 points – reached double figures.

Clift hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points as OC jumped to a 12-0 lead in the first three minutes. The Lady Eagles led 29-13 at the end of the first quarter, and although Manhattan Christian closed within nine points twice in the second quarter, an 8-0 spurt to close the half extended OC's lead to 49-30.

"Addy started us off and everybody else kind of picked it up from there," Findley said.

OC's largest lead was 34 points, at 86-52 after a drive and step-thru bucket by Miller with 5:30 left in the game.

Miller "was doing a good job of being active and getting her hands in a lot of passing lanes and contesting shots," Findley said. "And I'm telling you, the pace of the game just turns up immensely when Maddison comes into the game. I was excited to see her have control of the game like she did and finish shots like she did."

The Lady Eagles will play their final exhibition game of the season Saturday at 1 p.m., hosting York (Neb.) in the annual homecoming contest.

Stephanie Findley discusses the game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnBQDo-LPNo&feature=youtu.be

Game highlights, courtesy of Eagle Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EaHf4k89GU&feature=youtu.be

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Arc
Newsgram

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024