Lady Tigers stay hot, clip Williams Baptist

ARKADELPHIA — A blistering third quarter paved the way for the Ouachita Baptist Lady Tigers to pull away from visiting Williams Baptist for their fourth straight win Saturday at Bill Vining Arena.

Holding a slim 30-28 lead at the half, OBU broke loose for 21 points in the third quarter before coasting to a 70-56 win to improve to 5-3 on the season.

Behind eight quick points from Ashlyn Ellis, Williams Baptist took an early 15-8 lead in the first quarter before the Lady Tigers closed with an 8-0 run for a 16-15 advantage.

Neither team gained more than a fourpoint advantage in a second quarter that featured two ties and four lead changes.

Madison Brittain and Jakyya Clay each scored three points for OBU in the second quarter, while Taylor Bowles, Eden Crow, Alivia Huell and Morgan Miller scored two points to give the Lady Tigers a 30-28 lead.

Lake Hamilton graduate Kori Bullard capped an 11-4 run midway through the third quarter as OBU stretched its lead to

43-34 with 5:14 remaining. Williams Baptist forward Tashanescii Walker quickly cut the lead to seven with a jumper before the Lady Tigers stormed back with an 8-2 run to take a commanding

51-38 lead into the fourth quarter.

OBU connected on five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to preserve the win, Brittain and Kara Rogers each with two shots from behind the arc.

Brittain led all scorers with 16 points and Bowles chipped in with 13. Bullard finished with a game-high nine rebounds and four blocks while scoring six points.

Ellis paced Williams Baptist with 12 points and Blessing Samuel recorded 11 points with seven rebounds. Mountain Pine graduate Jordan Godwin had four points, one rebound and one assist for the Lady Eagles.

The Lady Tigers host Rogers State on Friday and the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith on Dec. 30 before resuming Great American Conference play Jan. 4 at Southeastern Oklahoma State.