ARKADELPHIA — The Ouachita women's basketball team saw its six-game win streak snapped Thursday in a 75-62 loss to No. 17 Harding inside Bill Vining Arena.
Ouachita (6-2, 3-1 GAC) built an early lead behind the hot start from senior guard
Madeleine Tipton, who drove inside to score a layup, then followed up with a step-back three from the top of the key. Tipton scored eight first-quarter points, while distributing the rock on a masterful pick and roll with senior forward
Abbey Harrison, slipping an assist inside for an easy bucket. Senior guard
Heidi Robinson ignited an 11-4 scoring run for the Tigers by hitting a pullup jumper from the elbow, followed by a side-step three.
Harding (9-2, 3-2 GAC) responded as junior guard Josie Williams beat the first-quarter buzzer with a pullup midrange jumper to cut the deficit to 21-14. Williams led the Bisons with a game-high 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the floor.
Ouachita took a 36-32 lead into the locker room after its trio of sharpshooters closed the first half with their own made shot from beyond the arc. Tipton hit a stepback three, then senior forward
Audri Winfrey followed with a spot-up three, and Robinson used a high screen to connect on a side-step three from the top of the key.
Harding began to press and chipped away at Ouachita's lead by forcing 18 turnovers that fueled the decisive run. Harding opened the third quarter on a 10-0 scoring run, flipping the deficit into a 42-36 lead as the Tigers hit a dry spell. Ouachita struggled to find any rhythm down the stretch as Harding's defense extended the scoring drought for Ouachita's top two scorers to nearly 20 minutes.
The Bisons capitalized with a 13-0 run in the final frame to effectively put the game out of reach. The Tigers were outscored 43-26 in the second half, while being held to just eight made shots on 26% shooting from the floor. Harding held a decisive 18-6 edge over Ouachita in fast break points to take full control.
Tipton led the Tigers with 16 points and nine rebounds on 5-for-8 shooting from the floor. Robinson added 13 points on a trio of threes, while Harrison contributed 11 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Ouachita will look to bounce back this Saturday, December 20 with a road game against Southern Arkansas to close out the 2025 portion of the schedule. Saturday's tipoff is set for 1 p.m. in Magnolia.
