ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's basketball team shot 52 percent from the field and was the beneficiary of 31 points off turnovers in route to a 90-38 win over Mississippi College at home on Wednesday night.
Wednesday's 52-point triumph marked the highest margin of victory for the Tigers since a 60-point win over Central Baptist College in the 2008-09 season opener.
As a team, the Tigers (2-0) connected on 33-of-63 shots from the field and held the Choctaws (1-2) to a 13-for-49 shooting performance (27 percent).
Ouachita forced 15 turnovers, while MC had another 14 on their own, which resulted in a 31-1 edge in points off turnovers for the Tigers. Ouachita also dominated the paint 42-16 and finished with a total of seven blocked shots.
The Tigers grew their lead as the game went along with the Choctaws not getting more than 11 points in any of the four periods. Ouachita hit its first double-digit lead with three minutes remaining in the third period. The lead grew to 20 with a 8-2 run to start the second period.
After holding a 42-18 lead at the break, Ouachita grew its lead out to 30 after holding MC scoreless in the first five minutes of the third period. The lead grew to 40 with a layup from
Brooke Smith in the final seconds of the third quarter. Three-pointers from
Makenzie Schilmoeller and
Micah Russell helped Ouachita reached more than a 50-point lead in the final two minutes.
Laney Mears led all scorers with 19 points.
Grayson Fairless added 14 points, a game-high seven rebounds, and game-high four blocked shots.
Brooke Smith finished with 12 points and five boards.
Ouachita wraps up its three-game homestand to start the 2023-24 campaign next Tuesday, November 21 against Pittsburg State. Tipoff will be one hour following the Ouachita men's game against John Melvin University that starts at 4 p.m.
