Women Turn Back ATU, Win 63-59

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Wire-to-wire winners against a tough Arkansas Tech women's basketball, Oklahoma Baptist still had to make plays down the stretch to emerge with a hard-fought 63-59 victory. The win evened OBU's season record at 7-7 and moved them into eighth place in the GAC standings at 3-5.
 
The Lady Bison will return home when they host longtime rival Southern Nazarene. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 in Shawnee.

Charissa Price led OBU with 18 points, including six-of-seven from three-point distance. Price had hit six three pointers in a game earlier this year in a loss at Southwestern Oklahoma. Her final triple gave OBU a 55-42 lead with 43 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

ATU managed to tie the game late in the fourth after scoring the first 10. Jacie Higgins three-pointer evened the game at 59-59 with 2:50 remaining.

OBU then clamped down defensively and held the Golden Suns scoreless for the remainder while picking up a key basket and two free throws by Victoria Blankenship who ended the with 13 points.

OBU made 23-of-54 shots for 41.8 percent, including eight-of-17 from three-point range. In addition to Price's six triples, Kaydee Banks had the other two.