ARKADELPHIA – Five Tigers scored in double figures as the Ouachita men's basketball team completed a double-digit comeback to take down Oklahoma Baptist 85-80 on Sunday afternoon at Bill Vining Arena.
This afternoon's win gave Ouachita (19-7, 14-6 GAC) sole possession of second place in the Great American Conference standings.
It was another slow start for Ouachita on Sunday. After trading blows with Oklahoma Baptist (16-10, 13-7 GAC) to open the game, the Bison started to take control. OKBU led for more than 14 minutes in the first half. The Tigers closed the gap midway through the opening frame, but OKBU retook the lead and pushed it out to double digits before the halfway point. A last-second shot by Ouachita cut the deficit back to single digits and the Tigers went into the break trailing by nine.
Oklahoma Baptist pushed their lead back out to double digits to open in the second half, and it looked like the Bison were going to run away with things. However, the Tigers were not ready to quit, and began slowly chipping away at the deficit. Over the span of seven minutes, Ouachita went from trailing by 10 points, to gaining the lead with 8:47 on the clock. After a few back-and-forth baskets, the Tigers regained the lead again and started to hold the line. Ouachita pushed its lead out to eight points by the two-minute mark. The Bison weren't done either as OKBU cut the gap down to three points with 41 seconds to go.
But the Tigers were ready to close this one out as
Hobert Grayson hit a clutch three-pointer with just 14 seconds left to put the Tigers up by six. Ouachita held on over the final seconds to secure the 85-80 win, completing the regular season sweep of the Bison.
The Tigers have now won five games in a row for the third time this season.
Grayson led all players with a 20-point and 12-rebound double-double, his 15th of the season. The Gonzales, Louisiana native was also second on the Tigers with three assists. Grayson's 20 points and 12 rebounds move the junior forward into eighth all-time in both single-season points and rebounds in Ouachita history.
Shaun Williams was right behind with 19 points, led the team in assists with four, and was second in rebounding with six boards.
Reggie Martin racked up 16 points and a steal.
Devyn Franklin scored 12 points, led the team in blocks with two, and ranked second in rebounds with six and steals with two.
MJ Leslie recorded 11 points while going perfect from the field (4-for-4) and from three-point range (3-for-3).
PJ Neal led the team with four steals and also handed out two assists.
As mentioned previously, today's win gave the Tigers sole possession of second place in the Great American Conference standings. Ouachita now sits just one game out of first place with two games left in the regular season.
The Tigers will be looking to keep things rolling and get revenge in their next game when they travel to take on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University on Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Magnolia.
