FORT SMITH – After taking more than a week-long break for final exams, the UAFS women’s basketball team will resume its tough nonconference schedule on Saturday when the Lady Lions host the No. 23-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos.
Tipoff will be 1 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center. The game will be broadcast on KHGG-FM 101.1 and KHGG-AM 1580, and live statistics and live stream will be available.
The Lady Lions last played on Tuesday, Dec. 4, against the nationally-ranked Drury Panthers, who are currently ranked No. 4 in one national poll and No. 10 in another. The Panthers beat the Lady Lions 92-63 to snap the Lady Lions’ two-game winning streak.
UAFS will face its fourth nationally-ranked opponent of the season. The Lady Lions have at one point this season played the Nos. 1, 6 and 24 teams in the nation.
The Lady Lions (3-7) average 65 points per game with two players averaging double-figures in scoring – senior guard Mariah Green (13.4 ppg) and senior forward Ellie Lehne (11.2 ppg). Green also leads the team in assists (4.1 apg).
UAFS out-rebounds its opponents by almost one rebound per game (35.8-35.3). Senior guard Daijah Brown leads the team in rebounds (6.8 rpg).
The Lady Lions allow an average of 69 points per game and force 16 turnovers per game. Brown leads the team in steals (2 spg), and junior forward Tamera Gulley leads the team in blocked shots (1 bpg).
Central Oklahoma (8-1) had its perfect start to the season end on last Saturday with an 84-71 road loss to Pittsburg State at John Lance Arena in Pittsburg, Kan. Earlier this season, UAFS lost to Pittsburg State 79-57 in the final game of the Pittsburg State Classic.
The Bronchos, who compete in the MIAA Conference, average 71 points per game with two players averaging double-figures in scoring – junior guard Micayla Haynes (12.8 ppg) and junior forward Ireon Smith (11.3). Junior guard Shatoya Bryson leads the team in assists (4 apg).
Central Oklahoma out-rebounds its opponents by one rebound per game (37.4-36.3). Smith leads the team in rebounds (7.8 rpg).
The Bronchos allow an average of just 57 points per game and force 18 turnovers per game. Bryson leads the team in steals (2.1 spg), and Smith leads the team in blocked shots (1.3 bpg).
