POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. --- The Asbury women's basketball team (20-11, 14-2 CCS) finished their 2024-2025 season at the National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) National Tournament on Saturday afternoon, falling to Oakland City (23-10, 14-2 RSC) 75-53 in overtime at the third place game.
Asbury was led in scoring by senior psychology major
Camryn Preston's 27 points, six steals, and four rebounds. Preston's points and steals were both career-highs in her last collegiate game ever.
Asbury was paced in scoring by sophomore elementary education major
Emily Sizemore's 14 points, three rebounds, and assists. Senior
Haleigh Releford and
Juleigh Anne Tucker rounded out the majority of Asbury's scoring with 17 points combined. Releford scoring eight and grabbing eight rebounds, Tucker adding nine points off of three three-pointers.
Oakland City scored 20 points in each the first and second quarters, to take a 40-33 lead into the break. Back to back 16 point quarters in the second half, partnered with stout defense, Asbury pushed the game to overtime, holding the Mighty Oaks to just 25 second half points. OCU out-scored the Eagles 10-8 in OT to take the 75-73 third-place game win.
Oakland City was led in scoring by Kyrisha Hay's 23 off of the bench. Hay added four rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes. Pacing Hay was Emilee Hope who had 19 points and six boards for the Mighty Oaks. Monesjia Harvey collected a team-high 10 rebounds for OCU.
The Mighty Oaks out-rebounded AU 44-33 for the game. Oakland City grabbing 10 offensive rebounds and AU 11.
AU finished 25-75 (33%) from the field while Oakland City shot 26-61 (43%). Asbury hit on seven three-pointers on the evening, OCU nine. AU finished at a 19% clip from range and the Mighty Oaks at a 32% rate. OCU just 14-18 (78%) from the free-throw line, Asbury finished 16-23 (70%).
Asbury comitted 16 turnovers on eight Oakland City steals, while OCU committed 31 turnovers on 20 steals for AU. Asbury converted the turnovers into 25 points on the offensive end, the Mighty Oaks making it into 13.
Asbury scored 22 bench points, while OCU poured in 37. The Eagles converted 18 points in the paint, the Mighty Oaks 24.
This was the ninth meeting between the two programs in school history, Asbury leading 6-3. The two teams squared off in the Mideast Region Title game, AU taking that game 71-68 two weeks ago.
AU falls to 20-11 on the year and claims fourth place at the national tournament, OCU improves to 23-10 on the year and finished third in the NCCAA Tournament.
"We had our chances to win the game, but it just wasn't our day today. I can't fault our effort because we actually won three of four quarters and had three great shots to win, but it wasn't meant to be. I'm honored and blessed to coach these amazing young women."
Chad Mayes | Head Women's Basketball Coach
Asbury finishes the year 20-11 and a 14-2 conference record, CCS Regular Season Co-Champions, NCCAA Mideast Region Champions, and fourth place at the NCCAA National Tournament.
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Camryn Preston | 27 PTS (Career-High) (9-11 FG), 6 STL (Career-High), 4 REB
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Emily Sizemore | 14 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST
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Haleigh Releford | 8 PTS, 8 REB, 4 STL
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Juleigh Anne Tucker | 9 PTS (3-8 3PT)
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