Box Score RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Behind
Tirrell Brown's 33 points and eight rebounds, the Ouachita Tigers defeated the Northeastern State University RiverHawks 99-87 on Saturday.
The lead changed three times in the first four minutes of the game, until a three-pointer from
Micah Delph gave the Tigers an 11-8 lead. The three sparked a 10-0 run that gave the Tigers a 13-point lead with 14:27 to play in the first half.
Despite never gaining the lead again in the first half, the RiverHawks slowly climbed back into the game and only trailed Ouachita 43-39 at halftime.
The Tigers posted a 62.5 percent field goal percentage in the first half, while holding Northeastern State to a 48 percent field goal percentage. Brown led Ouachita with 11 points in the half, and Delph followed with 10.
With 12:29 left, a three-pointer by NSU's Montre Williams sparked a 12-2 run that pulled the RiverHawks within four. The Tigers immediately responded, however, with a 16-4 to build the lead back to 16.
Ouachita maintained a lead of at least 12 for the rest of the game, including its largest lead of 17 twice.
The Tigers were led by Brown in the second half, as well, who scored 22 points on 10-11 shooting.
Justin McCleary followed with 12 second-half points, and
Colt Fason scored 10 and grabbed seven rebounds.
The Tigers once again posted a 62.5 percent field goal percentage in the half, giving them a total field goal percentage of 62.5 percent.
Led by Brown, the Tigers dominated inside, scoring 44 points in the paint while holding NSU to 22 points in the paint.
Brown finished the game 33 points, only missing one field goal in the entire game. McCleary scored 18 points, and Delph added 13.
Colt Fason posted 14 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Brown, a junior from Jacksonville, Ark., was named to the Arkansas Tech Thanksgiving Classic's All-Tournament Team. He averaged 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games. Brown was also named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
The Tigers (4-1) will travel back to Russellville on Thursday, Dec. 4, for their first conference game against Arkansas Tech. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
