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Meg Brady shoots a 3-pointer -
Hannah Voskuhl (25) and Kiyana Smith (15) -
Brenna Rowlett in the post -
Ashtynn Barnett (22) and Meg Brady (32)
Precision from the line in the final quarter made sure the lead remained intact.
The Oklahoma Christian School girls’ basketball team lived at the free throw line in the fourth quarter Tuesday night in Edmond as it defeated Millwood 55-52.
In addition to the win, Lady Saints senior Meg Brady, who signed to play for Southwestern Assemblies of God University last week, marked a major milestone by reaching 1,000 career points scored.
“It means a lot,” Brady said. “That’s been my goal since I was really little to make 1,000 in high school, so (I’m) super excited.”
OCS coach Jeff Barnett said Brady has been unbelievable for the Lady Saints.
“She stepped up in a huge way,” Barnett said. “Made some big shots, played really good defense… Had some huge rebounds. I was super proud of her.”
OCS (9-9) trailed after the first quarter but rebounded to take the lead in the second.
No. 10 Millwood (6-6) kept it close throughout the game but fell just short.
Early in the fourth, Millwood tied the game at 46 with a 3-pointer from Anae Atchinson. OCS freshman Ashtynn Barnett retook the lead with a 2-point shot. OCS did not score another field goal, but the Lady Saints hit seven free throws to keep the lead intact.
The Lady Falcons were unable to hit many shots in the fourth until the end. Millwood ended the game on a 5-0 run as Aniya Brown hit a 3-pointer and Ta’miyah Gramling laid it in at the buzzer, but the OCS lead ensured it did not change the outcome.
Barnett said the Lady Saints changed their defensive strategy in the third quarter.
“(We) went triangle and two, really frustrated them some more,” Barnett said. “Let the other role players shoot. They didn’t hit very many. Hit one at the end to keep us honest. We just battled and found a way to win.”
Brady and sophomore Hannah Voskuhl tied for the OCS scoring lead with 20 apiece. Brady hit five 3-pointers, while Voskuhl hit five of the seven fourth-quarter free throws for OCS.
As the game progressed, Millwood began putting a lot of defensive pressure on OCS. The Lady Falcons used a full court press, denied inbounds plays well and made it tough to pass. Barnett said the change surprised the Lady Saints at first, but they responded well.
“They kinda turned it up a little bit,” Barnett said. “At first, it kind of shocked us and stunned us. (We) made some turnovers. I think we bounced back well once we kind of got adjusted to that pressure.”