MONTICELLO, Ark. - After outscoring the University of Arkansas at Monticello Blossoms 11-0 in overtime, the Ouachita Lady Tigers earned their third Great American Conference win of the season on Monday. The Lady Tigers defeated the Blossoms 73-62, behind Morgan Miller's career-high 16 points off the bench.
The Blossoms (8-7, 5-6 GAC) outscored the Lady Tigers 16-11 in the first quarter despite five lead changes. A 10-0 run, that started in the first period and ended with 8:40 until halftime, put UAM ahead 21-11, the Blossoms largest lead of the contest. Ouachita ended the half on an 8-2 run, however, to cut the deficit to 28-26 at the break.
Both teams had success on offense in the first half, as both posted field-goal percentages of over 45 percent. The Lady Tigers were 5-10 from three-point range, while the Blossoms were 4-6. Katie Kapler scored a game-high nine points in the period, while Ouachita held the GAC's leading scorer, Jordan Goforth to only four points.
Kapler tied the score at 28 on the first possession of the third quarter, but the Blossoms would hold the lead for 7:34 of the 10-minute quarter. Breanna Harris brought the score to 42-41 with just under two minutes to go in the third quarter, but the Blossoms connected on a three-pointer with three seconds remaining to take a four-point lead.
In the fourth quarter, Ouachita grabbed its first lead on a three-pointer by Kori Bullard with 5:49 to play. The Blossoms were unable to take back the lead for the rest of regulation, but two free-throws from UAM's Nikki Mullen with 1:20 to go tied the game at 62. After a missed three by Harris with three seconds left, the teams headed to overtime.
The Lady Tigers dominated the overtime period, ending the game on an 11-0 run. Kapler sparked the run with a free-throw, and Harris scored the final points of the game with two free-throws. Ouachita was only 1-5 from the floor in the period, but the Lady Tigers netted 8-10 free-throws and held the Blossoms to 0-6 shooting.
Ouachita netted 50 percent of shots from the field in the 45-minute contest, its second-highest shooting percentage of the season. The Lady Tigers also knocked down 10 three-pointers, the most in a conference match this season.
Kapler led all scorers with 22 points on 8-12 shooting to go along with a game-high nine rebounds. Miller followed with 16 points from the bench on 6-10 shooting, and Harris added 14 points and six assists. Bullard was the fourth Lady Tiger to score in double-digits, finishing with 11 points.
With the victory, the Lady Tigers end a five-game losing streak. Ouachita will be back in action on Thursday, Jan. 28, when the Lady Tigers host Oklahoma Baptist. Tipoff in Vining Arena is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
