NORMAN, Okla. – Oklahoma used a 17-2 scoring run in the second quarter that broke open a close game as the Drake University women's basketball team was unable to erase the deficit in a 93-84 road defeat Tuesday night at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Becca Hittner and
Sara Rhine each scored a game-high 22 points for Drake (7-3) as Rhine pulled down 10 rebounds to record her first double-double of the season.
Maddie Monahan and
Brenni Rose joined the pair in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Oklahoma (7-4) had five players finish in double figures paced by Taylor Robertson's 21 points.
After falling behind by seven points early in the first quarter, the Bulldogs came back to lead by two points, 17-15, after
Allie Wooldridge's layup with just over two minutes left. However, the Sooners closed the opening period on a 5-0 run to lead 20-17.
The teams traded baskets throughout the second before Oklahoma started the key run with Nydia Lampkin's two-pointer with just under six minutes left and the run was capped by Tatum Veitenheimer's two free throws.
Hannah Fuller's jumper in the paint were the only Bulldog points in the decisive run. The scoring run helped Oklahoma lead 51-31 at halftime.
Oklahoma edged Drake 24-22 in scoring in the third quarter to lead 75-53 going to the final quarter. But Monahan knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to under 20 points. Later, Rhine pulled the Bulldogs to within 14 points with a two-pointer. However, the Sooners answered to lead by 20 points before the Bulldogs closed the game on an 11-0 run to get the final deficit in single figures.
After making just one three-pointer in the first two quarters, Drake knocked down four each in the third and fourth quarters. The Bulldogs recorded an impressive 23 assists on 33 field goals. Rhine helped Drake outscore Oklahoma 48-24 in the paint.
Drake looks to rebound from the loss quickly as it stays in state with a trip to Iowa Saturday night. Tipoff at Carver Hawkeye Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on BTN+.
