[February 17, 2007]

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas’ second half offensive collapse allowed Ouachita Baptist to slip away with a 61-60 win Saturday at Vining Arena. The Lady Tigers (13-12, 4-8 GSC) kept alive their hopes of gaining a Gulf South Conference tournament berth, while the Lady Muleriders (11-13, 7-5 GSC) are already in.

SAU hit 11 of 21 (52.4 percent) shots from the floor in the first half to build a 32-28 halftime advantage, but couldn’t find the basket in the second stanza, managing only six buckets in 22 attempts (27.3). Free throws allowed them to stay in the game as they were perfect on 14 tries, finishing 21 of 24 (87.5) for the game.

OBU used an 8-2 run at the beginning of the second frame to take a 36-34 lead at 15:57 on Haley Griffin’s lay-up. It was the first Ouachita Baptist advantage since 12:59 in the first half. Southern Arkansas regrouped on a three-pointer from Goldie White and didn’t relinquish the lead until a Griffin jumper put the Lady Tigers up, 47-45 at 7:45. Kayla Jones’ jumper tied it up for the Lady Muleriders, before two freebies from Kim Beverly pushed OBU back up, but Cassandra Henry canned two from the line for the 10th tie of the game at 5:02. From that point, Lindsey Dooley’s trey put Ouachita Baptist up for good, eventually holding a 61-55 margin at 1:25. SAU hung in there, getting a three from Stefanie White and a lay-up from Goldie White, but couldn’t find the winning shot.

The two teams took turns through the first half before Beverly’s two at the stripe gave the Lady Tigers an 11-10 lead at 12:59. Southern Arkansas got an old-fashioned three to move ahead, and held the lead the rest of the way, eventually claiming a 20-13 advantage at 9:30, before OBU narrowed it at the break.

Although Ouachita Baptist had a poor night from the field also, their second half performance was just enough better to give them the win. The Lady Tigers hit 18 of 50 (36.0) shots, including 12 of 31 (38.7) in the final 20 minutes of play. OBU got four of 10 from beyond the arc in the game, and also had 21 of 24 free throws in the game. The Lady Muleriders finished 17 of 43 (39.5) shooting, and were five of 11 (45.5) from downtown.

Griffin had game-highs of 22 points and nine rebounds. Beverly added 11 points, and Dooley chipped in 10 and had four steals.

Goldie White led SAU with 15 points and dished out four assists. Henry contributed 12 points and had four blocked shots. Stefanie White chipped in 11 points. Kim Davis had her lowest output of the season, finishing with just six points and four rebounds.

Ouachita Baptist used a 35-27 rebounding edge to outscore Southern Arkansas 22-14 inside and 16-8 on second-chance points.

The Lady Muleriders host Harding Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

#SAU#