No. 2 Delta State too much in first half for Lady Tigers to begin GSC play

A RKADELPHIA- Ouachita Baptist couldn’t keep up with No. 2 Delta State in the first half, eventually falling to the Lady Statesmen, 71-60, to begin Gulf South Conference play at Bill Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Saturday.

Ouachita (8-6) fell behind 33-23 at half, before eventually playing a closer match up in the second half with Delta State (12-0). The Lady Tigers were narrowly outscored, 38-37, in the second half. The Lady Statesmen shot 43 percent overall, while Ouachita was held to their second worst shooting performance of the season at 29 percent overall. Delta State held the edge in rebounding, 41-33, while Ouachita forced the Lady Statesmen into 14 turnovers.

Junior Gabby Coleman led Ouachita with 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Sophomores A’Laeshia Adams and Domino Miller each added eight points each, while Miller added three assists and four steals. Junior Tamara Robinson also recorded eight points, with a 2-for-2 effort on 3-pointers.

Ouachita finished with a 29 percent overall shooting performance (16-54), including 42 percent on 3-pointers (6-for-14) and 78 percent in free-throw shooting (22-for-28).

Delta State’s Veronica Walker led the Lady Statesmen with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and seven rebounds. Shameka Russell added 14 points, while Moe Bell (11) and Bug Cooper (11) gave Delta State four players in double figure scoring. The Lady Statesmen shot 43 percent overall (25-for-57), 44 percent on 3-pointers (4-for-9) and 85 percent from the free-throw line (17-for-20).

Ouachita Baptist returns to Gulf South Conference play on Jan. 14 as the Lady Tigers travel to Memphis, Tenn. to take on Christian Brothers. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.