ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Ottawa University Arizona women's basketball team claimed their fourth win in their last six games on Sunday evening, by defeating the Bethesda University Flames by a final of 58-57. Alexis Smith knocked down a floater at the buzzer to give OUAZ the win.

With the victory Sunday, the Spirit improve to 5-11 overall. With the loss, Bethesda University falls to 0-22 on the year.

"Road wins are tough to come by against anyone and we stole that one today," said OUAZ head women's basketball coach Milee Karre. "Credit to Alexis (Smith), who went and made a play to hit a huge shot for us. Bethesda played super hard and never let us pull away."
 
Both teams got off to a slow start on Sunday evening. Bethesda led 15-12 after a quarter of play, but both teams shot below 40% from the field. In the second quarter, the OUAZ offense started to come to life. The Spirit continued to limit the Flames on the defensive end, while scoring 13 points to draw within two at 27-25 at halftime.
 
The third quarter featured the best offensive output for OUAZ, as the Spirit scored 18 points on 8-of-20 shooting. Bethesda struggled to shoot once again, finishing the quarter 31% from the field and 28% from beyond the three-point arc. OUAZ claimed a slim 43-42 lead heading into the fourth and final quarter.
 
It was a back-and-forth quarter for the Spirit and Flames, as the game came down to the wire. OUAZ outshot Bethesda 41% to 35% from the field in the quarter. The game came down to the final ten seconds, when Bethesda was able to convert on a pair of free-throws to take a one point lead. Coming out of an OUAZ timeout, Alexis Smith drove down the lane and hit a floater to seal the 58-57 road win.
 
In the victory, two players scored in double-figures for the Spirit. Bailey Osmer led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds. Jorie Mayfield finished the night with 17 points and a team high 18 rebounds. Alexis Smith; who hit the game-winning shot, finished with a near triple-double of eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
 
OUAZ travels to Encinitas, California on Tuesday for a matchup against the University of Saint Katherine. Tip time is scheduled for 8:30pm Arizona time.
   
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.