ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season on Friday night with an 85-59 win over Champion Christian at home inside Bill Vining Arena.
Five Tigers reached double-digits in scoring, led by 21 points from
Laney Mears, who was 8-for-15 from the field and 5-for-12 on three-pointers.
Heidi Robinson also made five three-pointers in the win and finished with 17 points.
Gracen Williams scored 13.
Makenzie Schilmoeller and
Brooke Smith each added 11. Smith was near perfect in her collegiate debut, going 5-for-6 from the field, while also tying
Joey Babel for the team-high in rebounds with seven.
Williams had stats in nearly every column with a team-high seven assists, five rebounds, and three steals to along with her 13 points.
As a team, the Tigers shot 41 percent from the field (31-for-75) and 38 percent on three-pointers (14-for-37). Ouachita out-rebounded Champion 41-30.
Ouachita continues its three-game homestand to open the season next Wednesday, November 15 against Mississippi College. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Vining Arena.
