JOPLIN, Mo. – The Dallas Christian College women's basketball team fought hard on Thursday night in its first competition since November 23, as the team played its make-up game from last week at Ozark Christian College. After falling behind 18-5 in the first quarter, the Crusaders delivered a 24-10 third to slice a 17-point halftime deficit to three going into the last 10 minutes. Unfortunately, Ozark Christian had a little more steam to go onto a 62-51 victory.

Courtnee Locke registered a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore from Little Elm, Texas, also claimed a game-high in steals with six and matched the most assists by an individual on each side with four.

Gabby Garza and Avery Roberts were the other players in double-digits for points with 11 and 10, respectively. Garza shot 7-of-10 from the free throw line, which accounted for most of the DCC squad that was 11-for-18. The duo each grabbed seven boards.

The Crusaders never led but were tied twice in the contest. Garza had a free throw to match Ozarks a little over a minute in, but the home team scored the next eight points to grab the momentum. Garza had the first DCC field goal with a layup at 5:11 that broke the drought. Roberts made the other two points in the frame.

The Crusaders would be down 37-20 at intermission, but a torrid run started with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter. A Roberts triple cut the score to 47-36 and led to the final 11 points being tallied for the visitors. Mckayla Washington scored a two and back-to-back treys by Locke nipped the score to 47-44 going into the fourth. The other time in the game these teams were locked together was when Garza hit her second-of-two free throws two minutes into the fourth.

Two free throws lifted OCC back in front and allowed 15-4 run to close out the last 7:30 minutes. 10 points came for the Ambassadors at the charity stripe, which they shot 18-for-21 at for an 85.7 percent clip. OCC's Kamryn Gentry had a monster game with a team-high 12 points and massive game-high 18 rebounds. Ozark Christian held a significant height advantage and made use by holding a 59-33 rebounding difference.

The Crusaders did well taking care of the ball with 16 turnovers committed and forced 23. This included a season-best 15 steals. This is less than OCC's 23 miscues. Despite the size difference, The Crusaders were edged 13-12 on second chance points and 22-18 on points in the paint.

Dallas Christian goes to 1-3, while Ozark Christian moved to 2-2. The Crusaders are at Baptist Bible on Friday with a 4 p.m. tip-off.