ARKADELPHIA- Despite a 25-point effort from junior Gabby Coleman, Ouachita Baptist couldn’t erase an eight-point first half deficit, losing to Southeastern Oklahoma State, 87-79, in the final non-conference matchup of the season at Bill Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Monday.
Ouachita (8-5) played to a 46-46 tie in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 41-33 first half deficit to Southeastern Oklahoma State (10-1). The Savage Storm held the edge in rebounding, 48-39, while also outshooting Ouachita with a 43 percent effort from the field. The Lady Tigers finished at 37 percent shooting, while only committing 10 turnovers in the game.
Coleman led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting, with seven rebounds. Sophomore Tamara Robinson added 16 points with two steals and two blocks, while sophomore A’Laeshia Adams scored 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting and three steals. Sophomore Beulah Osueke scored 10 points, including 5-of-6 shooting at the free-throw line.
Ouachita shot 37 percent overall on 29-of-77 shots, including 21 percent on 3-pointers (6-of-28) and 71 percent at the free-throw line (15-of-21). The Lady Tigers recorded eight steals as a team.
Destiny Brown led Southeastern Oklahoma State with a double-double, scoring 21 points and recording 16 rebounds in the victory. Elizabeth Dean added 21 points for the Savage Storm, who shot 43 percent overall, including a 42 percent effort on 3-pointers and 91 percent from the free-throw line (21-of-23).
Ouachita Baptist opens Gulf South Conference play on Saturday at Bill Vining Arena against No. 3 Delta State. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. in Arkadelphia.
