BASKETBALL: Science & Arts teams to return to action with winning records

Austin Litterell, The Express-Star, Chickasha, Okla.
·2 min read

Jan. 2—The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma basketball teams are looking for strong second parts of their seasons.

The Science & Arts men and women entered 2024 with a combined 17-5 record on the season and a combined 8-2 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play. Both teams are looking to build on that success as their seasons continue in 2024.

Both teams come back from break with Thursday games this week. Both teams also received votes in the latest NAIA polls.

Women

The Drover women are currently 8-3 on the season and 4-1 in conference play.

Science & Arts went to break on a high note, defeating Texas Wesleyan University by 16 points in conference play. The Drovers opened the season with three wins in a row, and the team's longest winning streak of the season reached four games.

Science & Arts has played a pretty tough schedule, and all three of the team's losses this season are against foes currently in the NAIA's rankings. Two of those teams are in the top 10.

Two Science & Arts players are averaging double-digit points this season, led by a former area standout.

Former Bridge Creek star Lainey Morrow is currently averaging 20 points per game this season and is almost averaging a double-double. She is also averaging 9.1 rebounds per game.

Diaka Berete is averaging 11.9 points per game for the Drovers. Jordan Bloomfield is close to that mark at 9.6 points per game.

Men

The men's team enters Thursday's game on a winning streak.

Following a loss to Southwestern Assemblies of God University in conference play, the Drovers have rattled off four wins in a row. Science & Arts is now 9-2 on the season and is 4-1 in conference play.

One of the Drovers' losses is against a team currently ranked in the NAIA's top 10.

Science & Arts is currently on its second longest winning streak of the season. The Drovers won five games in a row before suffering a loss and responding with at least four wins in a row during the current streak.

Science & Arts has a pair of players averaging double-digit points and a third player on the brink of that mark.

Reggie Quezada is averaging 18.4 points per game this season to lead the way, and Anthony Ray is averaging 13.6 points per game. Rory Pantophlet is on the edge of that, averaging 9.8 points per game for the Drovers.