FORT SMITH, Arkansas – The Ouachita women's basketball team is heading into its Great American Conference schedule riding a three-game winning streak thanks to an 80-76 overtime road victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Saturday.
In game that featured five lead changes and 11 tied scores with neither team leading by more than seven, the contest stayed close throughout.
After trailing by three heading into the second period, Ouachita (3-1) surged in the second with a 27–20 run to take a 39–35 lead into the locker room at the break.
The third period was a defensive battle with both squads posting their game-lows in scoring. The Tigers led by two heading into the fourth.
In the fourth, neither team managed to separate with the Lions (1-6) leading by three early and the Tigers going up by three with seven seconds remaining on a free throw from
Samantha Watson. After a timeout, UAFS got a last second three to fall to force overtime.
The Tigers took the lead in the first possession of overtime on a layup from
Madeleine Tipton. Ouachita maintained a lead for all but one possession in the extra period. A three-pointer from
Audri Winfrey with 30 seconds remaining gave Ouachita enough cushion to earn the win.
Tipton turned in her second straight 20-point performance with a season-high 24 points on an 8-for-15 shooting performance, including 5-for-9 on three-pointers. She also had five rebounds in the win.
Heidi Robinson also reached the 20-point mark with a season-high 22 points to go along with a team-high four assists and three rebounds.
Abbey Harrison added 10 points and nine rebounds. Winfrey finished with eight points and seven rebounds.
The Tigers open a four-game homestand on Thursday, December 4 against East Central. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena.
