BOLIVAR, Mo. - Despite a better field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage, the Ouachita Lady Tigers were defeated by the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats 74-67 on Saturday. Breanna Harris, the leading scorer in the 2014-2015 season, led the Lady Tigers with 15 points and six rebounds.
Second-chance points seemed to be the difference in the contest, as the Bearcats claimed 18 offensive rebounds on their way to scoring 21 second-chance points. The Lady Tigers grabbed only eight offensive boards and were out-rebounded 45-37 in the loss.
The Lady Tigers did, however, post a 37 percent field-goal percentage while holding Southwest Baptist to only 35 percent. Ouachita was almost automatic from the free-throw line, as well, knocking down 22-24.
Ouachita took a 6-0 lead to start the first quarter, behind back-to-back layups from Katie Kapler and two free-throws from Harris. The Lady Tigers maintained a lead of at least three for the entire first quarter until Dilonna Johnson converted on a last-second three pointer to tie the game at 17 at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, Taylor Bowles immediately gave the Lady Tigers back the lead on a three-pointer assisted by Shelbie Byram. Southwest Baptist finally took its first lead of the game, however, with 7:31 to play in the half. A three-pointer by Alexis Sharp gave Ouachita a quick, 33-32 lead with 2:46 to go in the half, but the Bearcats took the lead right back and ended the half with a 44-34 advantage. Sharp and Katherine West led the Lady Tigers in scoring in the first half with seven points each.
Southwest Baptist built on its lead in the second half, eventually claiming a lead of 16 at the end of the third quarter. The Bearcats outscored the Lady Tigers 20-14 in the period to hold a 64-48 lead heading into the final ten minutes.
The Bearcats continued in the fourth, eventually grabbing its largest lead of 20 with 8:17 to play. The Lady Tigers immediately responded, however, with a 19-3 run to shorten SBU's lead to only four. The run lasted nearly six minutes and included 11 points from Harris and six points from Bria Caldwell.
With only a 71-67 lead, the Bearcats converted on a mid-range jumper to take a six-point lead, and two turnovers by the Lady Tigers allowed Southwest Baptist to score again on a free-throw and win the game 74-67.
The Lady Tigers outscored the Bearcats 33-30 in the second half, while shooting 37.5 percent from the floor. Ouachita also was perfect from the line, making all 13 free-throw attempts. Harris had a game-high 13 points in the half and led the Lady Tigers with four rebounds. Caldwell followed with eight points.
Harris led the Lady Tigers in scoring behind a 7-7 performance from the free-throw line and 4-7 shooting from the floor. Caldwell was 4-9 from the field for 12 points, and Kapler and freshman Halley Hill followed with eight points each.
The Lady Tigers will begin conference-play on Thursday, Nov. 19, as Ouachita travels to Shawnee, Okla. to take on Oklahoma Baptist University. The game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
