ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Baptist University women's basketball team is off to celebrate the Christmas holiday following an 87-59 Great American Conference victory over Arkansas-Monticello at home on Saturday.

After struggling in the first half, the Tigers (4-4, 2-2 GAC) outscored the Blossoms (0-10, 0-4 GAC) 28-7 in the third period to build a big lead.

Ouachita climbed to a double-digit lead with 6:28 remaining in the third on a layup by Claudia Vanzant from the assist of Jessi Bennett. Five minutes later, the Tigers were up by 20 on a layup by Laney Mears from the pass of Lauren Wright.

The largest lead of the game for Ouachita came in the final seconds on a pair of free throws by Bennett to put her squad up 87-57. UAM answered before the buzzer on the other end for the final 28-point margin.

Ouachita had four scorers in double-figures, led by Aspen Thornton with 22, followed by Mears with 16, Makayla Miller with 15, and Makenzie Schilmoeller with 10. Miller finished one rebound away from her first double-double of the year with a team-high nine rebounds.