Lady Tigers Outdone by Southwestern Oklahoma

Courtesy Ouachita Baptist University Athletics Department

ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- The grueling conference schedule seems to have brought the Ouachita Lady Tigers (12-3, 7-2 GAC) back down to earth, as they dropped their second conference game on Saturday night to the Lady Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State (11-4, 6-3 GAC). The Lady Tigers got off to a quick start and held the lead for almost the entire game, but a number of short runs kept the Lady Bulldogs in the game, which they won with a late surge in the 96-89 contest.

Ouachita looked unbeatable early on, making their first seven attempts from the floor and jumping out to a 12-3 lead early. It seemed like they were going to run away with the game, as they led by as much as 14. Southwestern had other plans though, as they rallied back and went on an 11-1 run with about two minutes remaining in the half and tied the game. The teams then battled back and forth until halftime, with Southwestern holding a one point advantage.

In the second half, the Lady Tigers came out with a vengeance, again jumping back out to the lead quickly. They posted a quick 7-0 run with just a minute gone in the half, giving them a six point lead. Southwestern bounced back again though, and the teams were deadlocked for much of the half, trading baskets and the lead. Southwestern took the lead at the 5:54 mark of the game and never relented, leading by as much as eight and finishing off the night with a seven point victory. 

The loss wasn’t due to a lack of effort from Ouachita’s players, especially not two of them in particular. Monica Williams finished with a career high 34 points and added 14 rebounds, while Nashia James was setting up teammates all night long with eight assists to complement her 25 points. 

For Southwestern, Kimmi Sawatzky and Michelle Fisher’s second half performances proved to be the difference. Sawatzky finished with 27 points, 18 of which came in the second half. Fisher played a very similar game, with 21 points, 11 of which were in the second period. MaRiah Oyler was great at the point, recording 16 points and five assts, while Elizabeth Lay was a force inside, notching 13 points and five rebounds. 

The Lady Tigers continue to hang on to the Great American Conference lead despite the loss, as they hold an advantage over East Central due to their win over the opposing Lady Tigers earlier this season.

Ouachita returns to action on Thursday, when they host Henderson State for the first installment of this year’s Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine game. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director