ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's basketball team secured its third consecutive Great American Conference victory heading into Christmas break with an 81-78 win over Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday at Bill Vining Arena.
A 13-3 run in the final four minutes of the second period helped the Tigers take a lead for the first time and eventually hold a 34-32 advantage heading into the locker room at halftime.
Ouachita led for all but one possession in the third period, including its largest lead of nine points midway through the period. The Blossoms rallied in the fourth period with a 10-0 run to take a one-point lead with 5:44 remaining and then stretched that lead out to four a minute later.
Laney Mears' seven points in the span of 75 seconds put the Tigers back up by five with 45 seconds remaining. Mears and
Heidi Robinson combined to go 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to preserve the win.
Overall, the Tigers shot 43 percent from the field (25-for-58) and 85 percent on free throws (22-for-26). Robinson led all scorers with a career-high 29 points, while also tying
Grayson Fairless with a team-high eight rebounds. Mears finished with 18 points. Fairless added 13 points.
Following the Christmas break, the Tigers will close out to the calendar year with an exhibition game against Williams Baptist at home on December 30. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at Vining Arena.
