ARKADELPHIA- Ouachita Baptist went shot for shot with North Alabama for the opening 30 minutes, but the Lions eventually pulled away at the free-throw line, winning 83-75, in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup at Bill Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Friday.
Ouachita (1-5) led 42-40 at half, but a 20-22 effort from the free-throw line down the stretch in the second half for North Alabama (3-3) gave the Lions the season sweep after previously beating Ouachita, 90-64. North Alabama finished the game 31-33 from the line (93 percent).
For the Tigers, four players scored double-figures, led by freshman Emmanuel Engulu’s career-high 15 points off the bench to lead the squad. Junior Scott Day added 11 points and four rebounds, while freshmen Keilan Stittiams and Julian LeDay added 10 points each. Junior Jeremy Banks and freshman Austin Mitchell both scored nine points for the Tigers.
Ouachita shot 41 percent overall (25-60), including a 33 percent three-point effort (9-27). The Tigers finished with a 76 percent effort from the free-throw line (16-21), but North Alabama held the edge in rebounds 31-24.
North Alabama’s Jared Strode led the Lions with 28 points and seven rebounds, while Daviel Clements added 21 points.
Ouachita Baptist returns to Bill Vining Arena on Saturday, Dec. 5 against Texas A&M-Commerce at 7 p.m.
