Ada, Okla. – The Lady Rattlers fell just short of notching a six-game winning streak, experiencing defeat for only the third time this season in a three-point loss to East Central University on Wednesday.

The close game saw two competitors of stellar records, with St. Mary’s (8-3) and the Tigers (8-2) both not too familiar with defeat. But the final buzzer could only announce one victor with East Central just scrapping past the Rattlers, 83-80, despite a St. Mary’s lead at the half.

In the best showing of her career, Jackie Woods (Jr., San Antonio) dominated the floor of Kerr Activities Center Wednesday. The Rattlers’ leading scorer this season hit a career-high 27 points against the Tigers, playing all but six minutes of the game. Banking three 3-pointers in the contest, Woods also dished out a team-high five assists and pulled in six rebounds. The Rattlers’ power down in the paint, Morgan Pullins (So., Franklin, Mich.), was just shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds along with three steals. Felicia Jacobs (Sr., San Antonio) also tallied three steals as well as 12 points. 

The Rattlers’ and Tigers’ contest was steady throughout the 40 minutes of play, with both teams gaining and tying the score repeated times. But St. Mary’s pulled ahead at half, 38-34, only to be re-challenged in the second with East Central firing to outscore the Rattlers by seven, 49-42, to end the game with a three-point victory.

Despite the Rattlers only having a mere nine turnovers for the night compared to East Central’s 18, the Tigers’ shooting overcast St. Mary’s, leading in each category.

The loss Wednesday won’t faze St. Mary’s too much, however, as the Rattlers will go into Heartland Conference play tied with rival St. Edward’s University for the best record in the league.

The Rattlers resume conference play Thurs., Jan. 3 against the University of Texas-Permian Basin at 5:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena.

Back to top