Nariyah Buggs scored six of her 15 points in the final three minutes to help Schreiner University snap a four-game losing streak with a comeback 86-80 victory over visiting Howard Payne on Saturday.
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This was a finishing game for a Schreiner team that has endured some epic cold-shooting stretches to start the 2021-2022 season, but everything seemed to come together on Saturday.
"We are getting better,'' said Schreiner first-year coach Stacey Stephens, whose team is now 2-4 and faces Sul Ross on Sunday afternoon.
At points, Schreiner blistered Howard-Payne with its non-stop pressing, jumping out to a 14-1 first-quarter lead, but when the Mountaineers looked like they would register a knockout, the Lady Jackets stormed back.
Nariyah Buggs forces a turnover on Saturday against Howard Payne. |
Howard Payne re-composed itself in the second quarter to come back and take a 36-32 lead, but Schreiner answered late. Demauria Miles, who led the Mountaineers with 16 points, scored on two layups in the final 90 seconds of the second quarter to tie the game at 36-36. Then it was Alyssa Viera's turn to contribute, and she knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Mountaineers a 39-36 lead at halftime.
The opening moments of the third quarter were similar to the first when Schreiner came out shooting. The Mountaineers rolled out to a 14-point lead — a run capped by a 3-pointer from Miles.
Demauria Miles had to work hard for her 16 points against the Lady Jackets. |
Miles' shooting was part of an overall improvement for the Mountaineers. Schreiner hit a season-high nine 3-pointers (9-of-15).
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However, Howard Payne crawled back — all the way back. The Lady Jackets outscored Schreiner 19-7 in the final four minutes of the third quarter to trail 62-60.
Gabby Ivarra scored six points but had 13 rebounds for the Mountaineers. |
The fourth quarter remained tight as both teams traded leads and ties, but the Mountaineers' composure helped seal the win. The outstanding pressure of the defense, which forced 25 turnovers, helped turn the tide.
Buggs tied the game with a layup, and her disruptive presence was everywhere on the court. This game was also one of the Mountaineers' best performances from the bench — outscoring Howard Payne 38-21.
Howard Payne's Bria Neal sealed the win for Schreiner when she was called for traveling with 25 seconds remaining. In frustration, Neal threw the ball away from the referee and received a technical foul. Nylah Raines hit both free throws to give the Mountaineers an 82-77 lead.
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On the next possession, Howard Payne lost track of Miles, who converted an easy layup. In the final seconds, Raines hit two more free throws to seal the 86-80 win.
Five Schreiner players finished in double figures.
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