Wichita, Kan. – The Tigers fire out of the gate against the Newman University Jets but fall in the fourth quarter with a final of 55-53 at the Fugate Gymnasium.
 
Madison Brittain began her senior season strong scoring 13 points and added six rebounds against the Jets. She also added an assist, block and a steal for the Tigers in the game. Maija Gertsone recorded 12 points as she did her damage from the charity strike going 5-7 from the free throw line.
 
Ouachita started the game scoring the first basket on a jumper by Eden Crow, but they went down 11-7. A 7-2 run which saw three pointers from Madison Raney and Madison Brittain gave the Tigers a lead. A jumper by Jakyaa Clay gave the Tigers a lead going into the end of the first.
 
The Tigers came out in the second quarter going on an 7-0 run led by Brittains five straight points. The defense locked in during the quarter as they held Newman to only eight points. Ouachita extended their lead to 12 points on two free throws from Gertsone and went into the break with a 33-23 lead.
 
In the third quarter the Tigers continued on the path holding a large lead on the Jets. Brittain pushed the lead back to 12 with a three pointer with 5:21 left in the quarter, and the Tigers went into the last quarter up nine. With 5:24 left in the fourth the Tigers held a 10 point lead looking to complete the win. However, they only scored one point the rest of the way as the Tigers dropped the opener 55-53.  
 
Quick Facts

• The game was the first for new Tigers head coach Robert Dallimore.
• The Tigers shot 40% from the game going 20-50 and held the Jets to only 30% shooting.
• Ouachita connected on 6 of 19 threes for 31.6 percent compared to Newman's 2-18 shooting.
• Makayla Miller, the only freshman Tiger, put in seven assists and two points in her debut in the purple and gold.
• Fouls got to Ouachita as two Tigers fouled out of the contest.

 
The Lady Tigers will return to action tomorrow against Southwest Minnesota State University at 10:00 AM in Wichita, Kan.