Lady Tigers Hold Off Late Surge From Northwestern En Route to Win

Courtesy Ouachita Baptist University Athletics Department

Despite being put in a tough spot and having to play on back-to-back nights, the Ouachita Lady Tigers (16-8, 11-7 GAC) pulled out a win over Northwestern Oklahoma (6-18, 6-13 GAC) on Sunday afternoon. The Lady Tigers led by 15 at halftime, but a late second half run closed the gap to just five, where the Lady Tigers held it until the final scoreboard showed 60-55.

A quick run to open the game saw the Lady Tigers with a 13 point lead just four minutes in, as they looked like they were going to run the Rangers out of the building early on. The Rangers cut into the lead on a couple of occasions but never developed a fluid offense, allowing the Lady Tigers to roll into halftime with a 39-24 lead.

As the second half opened though, the tables turned, as the Rangers came out hot and the Lady Tigers were struggling. The Rangers cut Ouachita’s lead to seven points just seven minutes into the half and it looked like the comeback was on.

From then on, it was a battle, with Ouachita’s lead dwindling to just four points on multiple occasions and three points in the final minute. A pair of made free throws from Nashia James with just four seconds remaining sealed the game and a five point win for the Lady Tigers though, sending them home with a 1-1 record and snapping their five game losing streak.

Monica Williams notched a double-double, with 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Lady Tigers. Nashia James and Kendra Coyle also posted double-digit scoring nights, with 14 and 12 points respectively. Coyle led the team in assists, with three, while James and Williams both finished the game with three steals.

For Northwestern, they put their scoring load on the shoulders of LaParis Newsom and Kierra Gilmore, who finished with 15 and 12 points respectively. Renee Golliday led the team on the boards, reining in nine.

The Lady Tigers were outrebounded by three, but the game really came down to free throw attempts. Ouachita drained 19 of their 27 attempts, while Northwestern only attempted 15, making nine of them.

Ouachita will return to Arkadelphia before traveling across Highway 7 on Thursday to take on Henderson State in the second installment of the Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine series. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday evening.

-Josh Fink, Sports Information Director