Alva Review-Courier -

JOPLIN, Mo. – Oklahoma Baptist opened the season with a 90-82 road win over Missouri Southern Friday afternoon in the first season opener since OBU became a full member of NCAA Division II.

The Lady Bison (1-0) faced the Lions (0-1) to begin the calendar at the GAC/MIAA Challenge for the third straight year and started with a win for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

"Overall I was pleased with the team effort today," said Coach Casi Bays. "I thought we did a great job of sharing the basketball and finding the shooters that were hitting today, especially [Shaylan Coleman]."

A strong first quarter gave OBU a 23-15 advantage, behind nine points from Shaylan Coleman in her official Lady Bison debut. OBU owned a 40-35 lead at intermission. Tasha Edge hit one of her five three-pointers on the afternoon with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter to extend the lead to seven points at 56-49. The Lions closed the quarter on a 14-point run to give MSSU a seven-point advantage heading into the final frame.

Another Edge three and a Coleman layup gave the Lady Bison a 66-65 advantage with 6:24 left in the game, and OBU would hold on to that lead to secure the first victory of the season.

Four players scored in double-digits for OBU, paced by Coleman with 22 points and nine assists. Edge finished with 17 points and a team-high nine rebounds, Lexi Williams added 13 points and Allies Fuller began her OBU career with 10 points and five rebounds in 12 minutes of action. The Lady Bison shot over 52 percent (11-of-21) from three-point range, out-rebounded the Lions 34-28 and had 20 assists in the win.

"I thought our post play started coming on in the second half with Allies making some baskets for us. It was good to see McKenzie Cooper knock down an early three and for Tasha to get hot from behind the arc," said Bays.