ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Baptist men's basketball team opened its season with an exhibition game against Philander Smith Thursday night, winning 67-56.
 
The Tigers closed out the contest hitting 20 of 52 shots, shooting 38.5 percent from the field and 32 percent from behind the arc. Ouachita also outrebound its competition 41-26, but turned the ball over 20 times in the 11-point win.
 
Wesley Franklin led the way for the Tigers, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds and four steals. Garrett Pearson also closed out the exhibition contest with 14 points while teammate Isaiah Harper tied Franklin for the team lead in rebounds with six. Trey Harris led the Tigers in assists with four.
 
Ouachita will continue its exhibition play against Little Rock on Saturday, Nov. 11. The contest is scheduled to tipoff at 3 p.m. inside the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock. The Tigers first regular season game will be played in Weatherford, Oklahoma on Nov. 16 against Southwestern Oklahoma State.