MAGNOLIA, Arkansas – The Ouachita Baptist University women's basketball team has clinched a spot in the 2023 Great American Conference Championship Tournament following a commanding road win over Southern Arkansas University on Thursday night by a final score of 93-65.
The 28-point decision marks Ouachita's largest margin of victory in GAC games this season. It was the second time Ouachita reached the 90-point mark in conference contests this year. The other time was also against SAU in a 93-83 win over the Muleriders back in December.
The Tigers (13-12, 10-11 GAC) are now set to close the regular season this Saturday at home against Arkansas-Monticello for Senior Day and the program's inaugural Alumni Day.
In Thursday's win over SAU (12-15, 8-13 GAC), the Tigers led in nearly every category, highlighted by 62-28 edge in rebounding, which led to a 23-7 lead for Ouachita in second-chance points and kept SAU's shooting percentages low. The Muleriders connected on only 28 percent of its shots in the game (19-for-67), while the Tigers made 49.3 percent (34-for-69).
Ouachita pulled away from the Muleriders in the second period, holding a 28-10 scoring advantage and keeping SAU to just two made field goals in the frame.
Ouachita's largest lead of the game came late in the third with a 34-point margin.
Individually, Ouachita had six players reach double-digits in scoring.
Makayla Miller led all players in scoring and rebounding with a double-double of 16 points and 12 boards. It was her first double-double of the season.
Madeleine Tipton added 14 points, followed by
Grayson Fairless with 13, and
Abbey Harrison with 12.
Laney Mears and
Heidi Robinson each scored 10 points in the win. Fairless added 10 rebounds to her totals for her fourth double-double of her freshman campaign.
