Alva Review-Courier -

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Baptist Lady Tigers dropped a nailbiter of a game to conference leader Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday afternoon 76-73.

Ouachita (10-9, 6-7 GAC) appeared to be in prime possession to upset Southwestern Oklahoma State (18-1, 10-0 GAC) with 48 seconds to go in the game down 74-73. Chasidee Owens was working the ball around the perimeter when the ball was stolen by Bethany Franks. The Lady Dawgs used the entire possession before Hailey Tucker missed a three-point attempt.

The Lady Tigers called a timeout with two seconds remaining in the game to set up the go ahead score. Ouachita inbounds the ball and senior guard Kori Bullard could not handle an errant pass as it bounced off her foot and out of bounds. Tucker iced the game with two free throws at the other end of the court.

In two meetings this season Ouachita has lost to Southwestern Oklahoma State by a combined five points. Only three other teams this entire season have come within five points of the Lady Dawgs.

Southwestern Oklahoma began the game on an 11-2 run before Maija Gertson knocked down a three-pointer. The bucket started a 9-4 run for the Lady Tigers over a three-minute span that brought the score to within a basket.

With 3: 28 remaining in the opening quarter Owens knocked down a three-pointer to cut the Lady Dawgs lead to 18-16. Moments later after a bucket by Franks, Alivia Huell connected on a three-pointer to bring the Lady Tigers within a single point.

The two teams traded buckets back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the second quarter. At the 7:15 mark in the game Tucker missed a three-pointer and Owens grabbed the rebound and began to work the ball up the court. Madison Brittain was left open and knocked down the mid-range jumper to tie the game at 27.

Southwestern Oklahoma started to shut down the Lady Tigers offense as the Lady Dawgs went on an 11-0 run. The Lady Tigers did not go down quietly though as they countered with a 9-2 run of their own. Going into halftime Ouachita trailed 39-37.

At the halftime break Hayden Priddy lead the Lady Dawgs in scoring with 13 points. Gertson lead the Lady Tigers in points with 9, going a perfect three-for-three from the field. Ouachita shot 58.3 percent from beyond the arch in the first half, while limiting Southwestern Oklahoma to 35.7 percent shooting from three-point range.

It was Ouachita that started the second half of play with the hot hand. With 7:13 to play in the third quarter Gertson stole the ball away from Tyra Aska and connected with Owens for the easy fast break layup. The basket gave Ouachita a 48-41 lead and what appeared to be the momentum early in the second half.

Morgan Miller hit a jump shot in the paint with 4:04 remaining in the third quarter. Miller's shot put Ouachita up 55-45 and in complete control of the game. The Lady Tigers were unable to distance themselves though from the Lady Dawgs. Ouachita went into the final quarter of play with 60-55 advantage.

Coming out of the quarter break Taber Beer swished in a three-point basket to bring the Lady Dawgs within two-points. The two teams battled it out in the fourth quarter as neither side ever had more than a three-point advantage.

The momentum and the game all switched to Southwestern Oklahoma State with 48 seconds to go in the game. Aska took a pass from Tucker and knocked down a contested three-pointer to give the Lady Dawgs a 74-73 lead.

Four Southwestern Oklahoma players finished in double digits. Franks finished the game with 21points and 10 rebounds. Tucker despite going 3-17 from the field completed the contest with 15 points, Priddy added 13 points while Hedrick collected 11 points in the win.

Owens lead the Lady Tigers with 17 total points. Huell added 13 points, while Gertson and Miller each added 11 points.

The Lady Tigers will be on the road next week as they travel to Southern Nazarene on Feb. 1st. The game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start time.