Huntsville, AL – In a thrilling season opener, the Washington Adventist University (WAU) women's basketball team battled their NAIA rival, Oakwood University, to an intense overtime finish, ultimately falling 86-76 on Saturday, November 2, 2024, in Huntsville, AL. The game showcased resilience from both teams, with WAU pushing the Ambassadors to the limit before Oakwood managed to pull away in the extra period.

The contest began with both teams trading baskets, but Oakwood established a slight lead in the first two quarters, taking advantage of ten first-half turnovers from WAU. Despite this, the Shock kept pace, thanks to key contributions from Bethany Fowler and Isabela Lujan-Gonzales, who showcased their scoring ability and leadership on the court. The first half concluded with Oakwood holding a narrow 34-32 lead.

As the second half unfolded, WAU intensified their efforts, with Fowler stepping up defensively and Amani Ball hitting crucial shots to help the Shock regain momentum. With just seconds left in regulation, Fowler made a layup to give the Shock the one-point lead. After two technical fouls on WAU, Oakwood tied the game, making the one-of-two free throws with four seconds on the clock, at 68-68, forcing the matchup into overtime and giving the Shock a chance to secure an impressive victory.

However, in the overtime period, fatigue set in, and Oakwood capitalized on their opportunities, outscoring WAU 18-8 to seal the game with an 86-76 final score. The Shock struggled to find their rhythm during overtime, missing key shots that could have shifted the momentum back in their favor.

The Shock shot 34.7 percent (25-of-72) from the field, with five of its makes coming from long range. Lujan-Gonzales led the Shock in scoring, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Fowler followed with a double-double, recording 14 points and 12 rebounds.

 
Melanie Aguilar (13), Ball (12), Abby Bryant (8), Deryanis Colon-Velez (5), Tye Queen (2), and Sanaa Morrow (1) also found the scoring column. Eight Shock players saw time on the floor in the overtime thriller.

With this loss, WAU starts their season with a record of 0-1. The Shock will look to quickly bounce back in their next matchup against Johnson University on Sunday, November 3, as they continue to build chemistry and refine their game.

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