SKIATOOK, Okla. — Ouachita started its 2025-26 campaign with a statement win in Friday's season opener, defeating Rogers State 64-54 in the GAC/MIAA Challenge. 

The Tigers never trailed in the second half behind a suffocating defense and a decisive second-half surge kept the lead for over 37 minutes. Ouachita stretched its largest lead to 54–41 with under 10 minutes to play and held off the late rally from the Hillcats.

Grad senior guard Devon Hancock paced the Tigers with 15 points, knocking down two early threes and coming through with momentum-turning buckets in both halves. Junior forward Christian Parks added 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while anchoring the defensive effort with four blocks. The Tigers commanded the glass and held Rogers State to just 30.6% shooting.

The Tigers' bench contributed 20 points, highlighted by junior guard Gavin Snyder, who scored nine on 3-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Senior point guard PJ Neal orchestrated the offense and added nine points, six assists and four rebounds.

The Hillcats struggled to find rhythm from the perimeter, going just 2 of 18 from three-point range and were limited to shooting just 26.9% in the second half.Ouachita turned 15 Rogers State turnovers into offense coming up with 19 fast-break points. 

Ouachita (1–0) returns to action on a back-to-back to take on Arkansas-Fort Smith in the second game of the GAC/MIAA challenge on Saturday at 2 p.m.