Box Score ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tigers maintained their spot at the top of the Great American Conference standings on Saturday, defeating the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm 70-61. Senior
Colt Fason scored his 1,000 career point in the victory.
The Tigers and Savage Storm battled back-and-forth throughout the first half, as neither team led by more than five. The Tigers did end the half, however, and a 7-0 run that ended with a three-pointer by
Justin McCleary, giving Ouachita a 28-24 lead at the half.
Both teams posted a field-goal percentage under 40 percent, and there were only two free-throw attempts in the entire first half. Fason, who came into the game 13 points away from 1,000, posted 11 in the first half.
Ouachita extended its lead to 14 on a 16-3 run over the first five minutes of the second half. Just under five minutes later, Fason joined Ouachita's 1,000-point club on a fast-break dunk after a steal. Southeastern immediately answered, however, with a 6-0 run to pull within eight.
The Savage Storm (8-9, 4-5 GAC) was six points away from tying the game on four separate occasions in the final 10 minutes. Once SOSU pulled within six with 3:10 remaining, the Tigers quickly jumped ahead with six consecutive free-throws to put the game away.
Tirrell Brown provided the spark for the Tigers in the second half, adding 18 points on 7-8 shooting from the floor. Brown also grabbed six rebounds in the half.
Brown led all scorers with 24 total points, and he recorded his second double-double of the season by securing 11 rebounds. Fason followed Brown with 19 points and eight rebounds, and McCleary added 11 points on 4-8 shooting.
Despite not scoring in the contest,
Micah Delph dished out a season-high eight assists after recording a season-high six assists on Thursday. He also grabbed five boards, while
David Berete finished with five points, seven assists and four rebounds.
The Tigers (11-3, 7-2 GAC) are currently tied with Southern Arkansas for the top spot in the GAC standings. The Tigers will travel across the street on Thursday, Jan. 22, to take on the Henderson State Reddies. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
