ARKADELPHIA- No. 3 Delta State withstood several second half rallies from Ouachita Baptist, defeating the Lady Tigers, 80-71, on Pink Out Breast Cancer Awareness night at Bill Vining Arena on Monday. You can check out highlights from the game in the slideshow below.
Ouachita (16-6, 7-3 GSC West) drew within 58-57 with 8:31 remaining in the game against No. 3 Delta State (21-1, 9-1 GSC West), but it would be the closest the Lady Tigers would get.
In the first half, Ouachita and Delta State were a part of eight lead changes, as senior Gabby Coleman and junior Domino Miller made jumpers in the final two minutes to cut a seven-point deficit to three points at 38-35 at half. Junior A’Laeshia Adams scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half, while Ouachita shot 41 percent and forced nine turnovers, while only committing two.
The issue in the first half is the same as it was for the entire game: rebounding. The Lady Statesmen out-rebounded the Lady Tigers, 26-13 in the half. For the game, it was a 47-28 advantage for Delta State.
For second half play, senior Gabby Coleman scored 13 and finished with a game-high 19 points, with five rebounds and three assists and three steals. Junior Tamara Robinson finished with 16 points, four rebounds and three steals, while Adams added 12 points and four assists for Ouachita. As a team, the Lady Tigers shot 41 percent and forced Delta State into 20 turnovers, while committing 12. At the free-throw line, Ouachita shot 55 percent on 10-of-18 shooting, while converting on 5-of-19 three-pointers for 26 percent.
Delta State was led by 15 points and 14 rebounds from Veronica Walker, while teammate Shameka Russell added 17 points and Bug Cooper a game-high 13 assists. The Lady Statesmen shot 46 percent on 28-of-60 shooting and hit 5-of-9 three-pointers for 55 percent.
The only losses in conference play this season for Ouachita are to top-five teams in Division II to Delta State (twice) and No. 5 Arkansas Tech (82-79 on Jan. 29).
For the remainder of the season, Ouachita will continue to battle through conference play to try to earn a berth to the GSC Tournament, then try to build a strong enough resume to make the NCAA South Region Tournament, as the Lady Tigers currently stand at No. 8 in the rankings. The top eight teams from the NCAA poll will make the tournament.
The next test for Ouachita will be Christian Brothers in Memphis on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.
Alan Greenwood
Sports Information Director
Ouachita Baptist University
