Home Sweet Home: Lady Tigers protect Bill Vining Arena with 71-57 win over Arkansas-Monticello
Feb. 19, 2011
ARKADELPHIA- With a spot in the Gulf South Conference Tournament clinched, Ouachita Baptist continues to build a strong resume for the NCAA South Region rankings, as the Lady Tigers defeated Arkansas-Monticello, 71-57 at Bill Vining Arena on Saturday.
Ouachita (18-6, 9-3 GSC West) shot 43 percent from the field and held a 34-21 lead at half over the Cottom Blossoms (6-18, 2-10 GSC West).
The Lady Tigers led 34-21 at half, as senior Gabby Coleman collected eight points and Ouachita held Arkansas-Monticello to just 14 percent shooting for the opening 10 minutes. The lead was stretched to 18 at the 6:57 mark, as freshman Elise Holman hit a pair of free-throws, but the Cotton Blossoms made a slight run, cutting it to nine points at 30-21 with 1:58 remaining on a three-pointer by Arkansas-Monticello’s Alayna Davis. But the Lady Tigers finished strong and gave the home crowd a double digit lead at half with a 37 percent shooting performance.
Overall, Ouachita forced 18 turnovers and were led by a game-high 17-point performance from junior A’Laeshia Adams, who added four assists. The offensive production came from the normal places in junior Domino Miller with 13 points, while senior Gabby Coleman added 12, six rebounds and four steals in the win.
Meanwhile, Arkansas-Monticello shot 38 percent and were led by Alayna Davis’ 17-point off-the-bench performance. Teammate Channon Haywood added 12 points in the loss.
Entering the contest, Ouachita Baptist stood in the No. 9 spot in the NCAA South Regional Rankings, which was released before a win over Christian Brothers on Thursday. The Lady Tigers were right behind West Alavama in the No. 8 spot (16-4) before this week’s games. The top eight teams in the final regional rankings make the NCAA Regional Tournament. The tournament will take place at the home court of the team in the top seed of the rankings.
Looking forward, Ouachita faces Henderson State in the second installment in the Battle of the Ravine Series for Senior Night at Bill Vining Arena on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Lady Tigers then close out the regular season at No. 5 Arkansas Tech on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Russellville.
