BIRMINGHAM - Oglethorpe triumphed in the Southern Athletic Association quarterfinals, beating Birmingham-Southern College 108-84 with career highlights from senior Sydni Donovan and sophomore Omotese Ajorgbor.

The game saw 10 Petrels in the scoring column, five of those being in double digits.

Donovan led the team with her eighth career double-double consisting of a career high 35 points and one of her highest rebound and assist counts at 15 and five, respectively. Her four teammates scoring in double digits were Taylor Smith totaling 20 points, Ajorgbor with a career high 14, and Jessamy Gaetanos and Emma Perna both totaling 10 points. Omotese added a career high nine rebounds, and Sydnee Jackson had a career high eight assists.

Ajorgbor was the first to score in the game, just six seconds in, starting the Petrels off on top in what would be their highest scoring game of the season. Oglethorpe was able to make five points before Birmingham Southern could make any. The rest of the first quarter went back and forth, until the Panthers surged in the final minutes to end the quarter ahead at 29-25. 

After a tense second quarter, Oglethorpe was able to gain a substantial lead. The Petrels ended the quarter with a 7-3 run, heading into halftime with the score at 55-48.

After halftime, Oglethorpe went on a 5-2 run to get 10 points ahead of Birmingham Southern, and held the lead for the remainder of the game. The Petrels made almost 30 points in the third quarter alone, heading into the fourth quarter with the score at an impressive 83-68.

The fourth quarter saw Oglethorpe maintain the energy of the third quarter, scoring 25 more points. Although the Panthers were able to get close again, the Petrels blew past them again and ended the game 24 points ahead, at 108-84. 

This was Oglethorpe's first time scoring 100 points since last season, coincidentally in back-to-back games against Birmingham Southern. The January 22, 2021, game saw the Petrels win 106-81, and the January 23, 2021, game ended 114-104.

The Stormy Petrels will face the Berry College Vikings in the SAA conference semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 26 at a time to be determined. If Oglethorpe advances again, the SAA Conference Championship is to be held Sunday, Feb. 27. The final two rounds will be played at Rhodes, which won the regular season.