Alva, Okla. – The Lady Tigers traded punches with Northwestern Oklahoma State but failed to close things out in a 78-68 loss. 

All five Lady Tiger starters hit double digits with Maija Gertstone leading the way with 19. Madison Raney had another double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. Eden Crow also contributed a double-double tallying 12 points and 11 rebounds. Madison Brittain put up 12 and Makayla Miller had 11.

Kalea King led the Lady Rangers with 19 points. Kenzi Lamer scored 15.

The Lady Tigers were efficient on offense and took care of the ball through three quarters, but come the fourth, the Lady Rangers implemented a half-court zone and trap defense. Coupled with the suffocating defense, the Lady Rangers knocked down 60 percent of their shots to outscore Ouachita 26-12 in the final frame to pull away with the victory.

The Lady Tigers came out on fire from three-point range shooting 4-7 in the first quarter. In the first half, Ouachita took care of the ball and had proficient offensive possessions leading to open threes and mid-range jumpers. The Lady Tigers played one of their most offensively efficient halves of the season but found themselves down 35-34 at the half.

Coming out of halftime the teams continued to trade baskets. The Lady Tigers continued to shoot the ball at a high percentage and outscored Northwestern in the third to go into the fourth with a lead. Come crunch time, though, Northwestern's defensive strategy proved to be Ouachita's Achilles heel. In the end, second half turnovers were the difference.

Ouachita fell to 4-10, 1-7 in conference play, while Northwestern Oklahoma State improved to 8-6, 4-4 in conference.

The Lady Tigers return to Arkadelphia next week to take on Henderson State across the ravine. The game will be Thursday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. For all things Lady Tiger Basketball, stay tuned to obutigers.com.