ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's basketball team put the finishing touches on an undefeated week with an 87-80 win over No. 18 Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday at home.
The Tigers turned in one of their best shooting performances of the season and used a 40-21 advantage in rebounding to aid to the win over the nationally-ranked Rangers, who were riding a five-game winning streak heading into Saturday's contest.
Ouachita shot 80 percent from the field in the first period and led by as much as nine on a made jumper by
Joey Babel with 2:23 remaining. The Rangers rallied to outscore the Tigers 19-14 in the second period, resulting in a 32-all tie at the halftime break.
There were five lead changes in the third period to make it a close game early, but the Tigers rallied for a 10-run late in the frame to go up by eight, and later extended that lead up to nine in the final minute. After a technical foul was called on NWOSU in between the third and fourth periods, the Tigers started the final frame with a pair of free throws by
Laney Mears, immediately followed by a three-pointer by
Audri Winfrey to give Ouachita its first double-digit lead of the game at 63-51.
NWOSU rallied back, cutting the Ouachita lead down to two in the final minute, but the Tigers were 8-for-9 on foul shots in the final moments to keep the Rangers at bay.
Ouachita finished at 53 percent overall from the field (29-for-55) and 68 percent on foul shots (21-for-31).
Laney Mears turned in a season-high 22 points for her fourth 20-point game of the season and 11th of her career. She was 5-for-12 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 on foul shots.
Joey Babel added 16 points, while collecting game-highs in rebounds (8), assists (5), and steals (4).
Madeleine Tipton finished with 14 points.
Grayson Fairless chipped in with 10.
The Tigers head across the street next Thursday, February 15 to take on Henderson State before coming back to Bill Vining Arena on Saturday to face Arkansas Tech.
