The Oglethorpe women's basketball team delivered a complete performance Sunday at Dorough Field House, leading wire to wire in a 72-37 win over the visiting Hendrix Warriors. With the win, the Stormy Petrels improved to 16-4 overall and 7-2 in SAA play, maintaining sole possession of second place.
The Petrels shot 38.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc while holding Hendrix to just 19.6 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from distance. They also accrued 19 assists on 24 made baskets and turned it over 11 times, while Hendrix collected just two assists on 11 baskets and turned it over 20 times. Oglethorpe outscored their opponent 18-8 off turnovers and 32-2 off the bench.
Junior forward Karlymarie Dyer led the Petrels on the day, tying her career high with 19 points on 7-of-13 from the field and 4-of-9 from 3-point range. She also passed out three assists.
Sophomore center Savannah LeGate added nine points and six rebounds, while senior forward Lauren Ransom grabbed five boards while recording three blocks and two steals. Senior guard Jada Triplett scored nine points on 3-of-4 from long distance. Freshman guard Nikki Reed led the team with seven rebounds.
The Petrels got off to a big start early, running out to a 17-1 lead over the first 6:30 of the game and leading 19-6 at the end of the first quarter. Oglethorpe added to their lead with a 12-0 run over four minutes in the second, stretching their advantage to 31-9 with just under four minutes until halftime. The Warriors used an 8-1 run late in the second period to pull closer, but the home side still led 34-17 at the break.
Oglethorpe picked up in the second half where they left off in the first, embarking on a 19-6 run over much of the third period and taking a 53-23 lead with 1:50 remaining in the quarter. The Petrels cruised home from there, outscoring Hendrix 15-9 in the fourth.
It was a good day for the Petrels all around, as the team honored assistant coach Kim Coleman's doctors during his successful battle with prostate cancer prior to the game.
"This was a really special day today, from honoring Coach Kim's doctors to following it up with a good home win to finish up a great weekend," said Oglethorpe head coach Alex Richey. "I'm very proud of the focus of our team defensively and I really loved our unselfish offensive performance today."
The Petrels will be back in action at Dorough Field House on Friday, when they welcome Birmingham-Southern at 6 p.m. Oglethorpe won the first game between the two teams 65-48 Jan. 4 in Alabama.