Bruins race to convincing season-opening win at OKWU Classic
Bellevue allowed a program-low 25 points as they improved to 2-0 all-time in season-openers
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- The Bellevue University women's basketball team out-scored Central Christian Bible College 44-8 in the second half to cruise to a 79-25 win over the Saints in the 2017-18 season-opener for both schools at the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Classic.
With the victory the Bruins improve to 2-0 all-time in season-openers after defeating Crowley's Ridge to open the 2016-17 season.
BU raced out to a 22-6 lead after one quarter courtesy of a 63.6 percent effort from the field in the opening period. Their cause was aided by eight CCCB turnovers in the quarter that led to a lot of easy looks in transition.
The second quarter was played a bit more evenly with BU holding a narrow 13-11 advantage in the period, as their shooting cooled to 46.2 percent. Despite that the Bruins took a commanding 35-17 lead into the locker room.
BU was led at the half by Christen Voyles' seven points while Jamie Winkler and Ryleigh McCartney each chipped in six in the opening 20 minutes.
Following the halftime break Bellevue scored the first 15 points of the period to go up 50-17 and put the game out of reach. BU out-scored CCCB 23-2 in the period and took a 58-19 lead into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter followed a script similar to both the first and third with Bellevue out-scoring the Saints by a 21-6 margin to ice the game away.
Elexis Martinez poured in a game-high 16 points and hauled in seven rebounds in her first action in almost a year, while McCartney contributed 15, including the first three BU points of the season. Caletria Curtis chipped in nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Cassidy Hubbs and Voyles each scored seven points while Hubbs also recorded six rebounds. Winkler popped in six with four assists and Marylyn Mozena scored three points as each made their collegiate debut. Bailey Petzoldt pulled down eight boards to help Bellevue to a 48-29 advantage on the glass.
The Saints' top scorer, Karissa Barber (10 points), fouled out with 5:08 to play and the Bruins finished the game 5-on-4.
The 25 points allowed by Bellevue are fewest in the program's brief history. The previous record was set in a 96-40 win over Grace back on Nov. 2, 2016. The 54-point margin of victory was the second-most all-time, behind only the game against Grace.
Bellevue continues play at the Oklahoma Wesleyan Classic tomorrow with a 2 p.m. tip-off against St. Gregory's University.