State sports briefs

SOCCER Ouachita Baptist wins GAC title

Ouachita Baptist University overcame a first-half deficit in defeating top-seed Harding University 3-1 in the Great American Conference men’s championship Sunday in Searcy.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Michiru Forbess netted two goals off free kicks to lead the Tigers (9-71). He scored the tying goal in the ninth minute from just outside the 18-yard box and added his second on a blast from 25 yards in the 60th minute for the final score.

In addition to Forbess, GAC Goalkeeper of the Year Edward Pacheco, Offensive Player of the Year Tinashe Chigede, Tyler Mouton and Blaine Hickman made the All-Tournament Team for OBU. Pacheco made 12 saves and had a 1.83 goals-against average in the two victories. GAC Defender of the Year Aaron Craig and Van Thang earned joined Grundy on the All-Tournament team for Harding.

VOLLEYBALL Arkansas battles past Texas A&M

Playing in its 10th five-set match of the season and its second in as many Sundays, host University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (17-8, 7-6 SEC) posted a 16-25, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10 victory over Texas A&M at Barhill Arena.

It was the Razorbacks’ first home victory against the Aggies.

Redshirt senior Pilar Victoria led all players with 24 kills while freshman Hailey Dirrigl registered 15 kills of her own.

UAPB tops Texas Southern

Britney Sahlmann had 40 assists and Jade Sanlin had 18 digs as the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Texas Southern 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 on Sunday in Pine Bluff.

Texas State downs UALR

Veronica Marin had 9 kills, a .278 hitting percentage and 3 total blocks for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in its 25-16, 25-21, 25-16 loss to Texas State on Sunday in San Marcos, Texas.

Taylor Lindberg tallied 29 assists with 6 digs, a kill and a block, and Sydnee Martin recorded 19 digs for the Trojans (9-18, 5-10 Sun Belt).