ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita women's basketball team opened the second half of Great American Conference games for the 2024-25 season on Saturday with a 74-54 loss to Harding inside Bill Vining Arena.

After a close first half that left Harding with a two-point advantage of 34-32, the Lady Bisons came out of the locker room on an 8-0 run and shot 64 percent in the third period, while the Tigers made just three shots in the frame and shot 25 percent.

The lopsided third period, a 34-24 Bison edge in rebounding, and an 0-for-8 three-point shooting performance for the Tigers ended up being the most significant stats of the game.

Ouachita finished at 40 percent overall (20-for-50) and 100 percent on foul shots (14-for-14). Harding finished at 48 percent overall (27-for-56), 44 percent on threes (4-for-9), and 70 percent on foul shots (16-for-23).

Madeleine Tipton and Brooke Smith led the Tigers with 14 points each. Tipton added a team-high seven rebounds. Laney Mears also reached double-digits in scoring with 10 points.

The Tigers are back in action next Thursday, January 30 at home against Southeastern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Vining Arena.