BARTLESVILLE, Okla. -- A quick start and a record-breaking performance from the three-point line guided the Bellevue University women's basketball team past Saint Gregory's University 86-54 on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at the Mueller Sports Center in the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Classic.
Bellevue opens the year with back-to-back wins for the second-straight season to improve to 2-0 while Saint Gregory's falls to 0-2 on the young season.
Bellevue got off to a fast start, out-scoring Saint Gregory's 23-9 in the period and holding the Cavaliers to just 20.0 percent (3-of-15) shooting in the period and forcing them into nine turnovers. By contrast the Bruins turned it over just five times and hit on 61.5 percent (8-of-13) of their attempts, including a 6-of-7 effort from beyond the arc.
The second quarter was a high-scoring affair with BU gaining a slight 26-20 edge on the scoreboard to take a 49-29 lead into the locker room. The Bruins were led by Shayla Dean, Shanae Collins, and Ryleigh McCartney all of whom had eight points at the intermission.
BU continued their dominance after halftime, out-scoring the Cavaliers 22-5 in the third quarter to take a comfortable 71-34 lead into the final period.
Saint Gregory's edged out the Bruins in the fourth quarter to make the score a little closer with a 20-15 scoring advantage in the period.
Bellevue sank a school-record 16 three-pointers on the afternoon as they hit at an efficient 45.7 percent clip from beyond the arc.
The Bruins were led by McCartney's 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep while Dean (13 points) and Christen Voyles (10 points) each joined her in double figures. Collins contributed eight points and six assists to the offensive effort.
BU held a 36-30 advantage on the glass led by Caletria Curtis' five boards. Dean, Elexis Martinez, Angeliece Tucker, and Alexandra Bader all added four rebounds to the cause.
Taylor Hooks led all scorers with 16 points for Saint Gregory's and Lauren Godbold added 11 in the loss.
Bellevue returns to the court on Tuesday, Oct. 31 when they take on College of Saint Mary at 6 p.m. in Omaha, Neb.
