Cowgirls Fall to Northern Oklahoma-Enid in Region II Quarterfinals

SHAWNEE—Connors Cowgirls entered the quarterfinals of the Region II Tournament at Oklahoma Baptist University's Noble Complex Wednesday night, hoping that the third time would be the charm against the Northern Oklahoma-Enid Lady Jets.

It wasn't to be as the Lady Jets,, who defeated Connors twice in the regular season, flew past the Cowgirls 85-56 to end Connors season at 14-17 while NOC-Enid advances to a semifinal match on Friday against either Murray State or Seminole State which was the late game.

Cowgirls hit their first two shots of the game, both from behind the arc, one each by Cheyenne Marshall and Saide Carter for a 6-0 Connors lead just 41 seconds into the game.

That was the only lead of the contest for the Cowgirls as the Lady Jets scored the next 10 points for 16-6 lead. It was all NOC-Enid the remainder of the game they zoomed to their largest lead of the game 31 points with 35 seconds left in the game.

"Enid just took command in the first half, when they hit 9 threes," said Cowgirls head coach Jamie Fisher. "They were nailing contested shots. They just made big buckets tonight.

"You could tell we just ran out of gas. I told the girls in the locker room you played an intense game last Thursday against Eastern, then played them again on Monday night, then have a short turn-around. That's tough to do.

"I thought we gave effort. Our shots didn't fall. It just wasn't our night, but I am proud of our girls," adding  "That's the first time in a long time we've went back-to-back to reach the region tournament.

"I feel like the program is going in the right direction," said Fisher.

DeAuja Thompson, who was named the player of the week, was held to 13 points, hitting just 6-of-24 shots from the field.

Connors managed only 21-of-62 from the field for 33 percent and was just 8-of-30 from behind the arc for 26 percent.

However the Lady Jets singed the nets for a 50 percent shooting performance connecting on 34-of-68 from the field, including 12-of-26 on 3-point attempts.

NOC-Enid had four players score in double figures led by Jacie Engler's 21 points, who was 6-of-10 on 3-point attempts. Andreah Pierce followed with 17, Taylor Sylvester 12 and McKenna Pulley 11.

Lauren Godbold paced the Cowgirls scoring with 17 points followed by Thompson's 13 and Marshall's 12 points.

Enid which had numerous second chance opportunities out rebounded the Cowgirls 45-35, with Sylvester pulling down 11 for a double-double.

NOC-ENID  85, CONNORS STATE 56

Connors State 10 23 14 9--56

NOC-Enid 19 27 14  25--85

Connors State (14-17)—Godbold 17, Thompson 13, Carter 12, Marshall 6, McDonald 4, Pendley 3, Webb 1.

NOC-Enid (26-5)—Engler 21, Pierce 17, Sylvester 12, Pulley 11, Brown 8, Combs 5, Pierce 5, Meeker 4, Gruber 2.