Lucas Hits Game-Winner To Propel SGU Over USAO

Kalie Lucas hit the game-winning three-pointer from the left wing with 19 seconds left, propelling St. Gregory's to a 49-47 win over USAO Thursday night at W.P. Wood Field House. Lucas, a junior from Harrah, scored 10 points for the game – all in the second half – as SGU won for the fourth time in six games.

It was the Cavaliers' defensive effort in the second half that was the difference, as the home team held the Drovers to 27 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes to overcome a six-point deficit. USAO enjoyed a 46-38 advantage on the boards – which led to a 12-2 edge in second-chance points – but the Cavs converted 18 Drover turnovers into 20 points.

SGU's Leticia Silva tied for game-high honors with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Lucas had seven boards, three blocks and three steals. She was 4 of 5 from the floor in the second half.

"I just got a good look at it, and I knew it was going in when it left my hands," said Lucas, who was 2 of 3 from long range for the game. "We came out with much more energy in the second half. We need to carry that into our final three games. We're playing for our seniors."

After a sluggish start from both teams, SGU broke a 6-all tie five minutes into the game with a 12-2 run. The Cavs were 5 of 7 from the floor during that stretch, which was capped off by a Porsche Young baseline jumper that pushed the lead to 18-8 with 9:19 left.

The home team went cold from there, though, allowing the Drovers to score 16 straight points over a 7-minute period to make it 24-18 USAO. SGU was 0 of 9 from the floor during that run. The Drovers led 27-21 at halftime after holding the Cavs to 29 percent from the floor. Despite making its first two from three-point range, SGU was only 1 of 13 from long distance to finish the period.

The Cavs got back into the game early in the second half with that aforementioned defense. SGU scored the first seven points of the period to regain the lead at 28-27 with 14:01 remaining. The home team didn't allow a Drover point until the 13:36 mark, ending a stretch of 7:24 that went back to the first half.

After quick runs by both teams, the game stayed close down the stretch with neither team leading by more than three in the final 7:03. SGU was up 46-44 when USAO's Rashelle Carr nailed a three from the left wing – her second of the half – to put the visitors up one with 36 seconds to go. That set up the final sequence.

SGU (11-16, 4-9 SAC) travels to Oklahoma City to face the Stars Saturday. That game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. tip.