SHAWNEE - There's been frustrations, injuries, and tough losses for the Oklahoma Baptist women's basketball team in 2019-20 team, but one thing was never denied throughout some tough stretches for the Bison.
Their effort.
It was rewarded on Thursday evening as big late 3-pointers from
Briana Marshall and
Charissa Price as well as a 21-point outing from
McKenzie Cooper gave Oklahoma Baptist a 72-65 home win over Ouachita at the Noble Complex.
The win snaps an eight game losing streak and gives the Bison their first win in GAC play.
A 3-pointer from Cooper and back-to-back buckets from
Mikayla Shulanberger gave OBU a 7-0 lead. That would extend out to 11-2 on buckets from Cooper and
Jaylin Stapleton.
The Bison continued to dominate the first period of play as they pushed their lead to 17-4 as Cooper along with
Jacie Engler and
Briana Marshall got involved in the offense. OBU would take a 21-8 lead at the first as Shulanberger got her point total up to six.
Ouachita climbed back into it in the second quarter, getting the game down to six points, but OBU pushed back ahead by 10 behind Stapleton and Engler. The Tigers once again got it down to six, but a 3-pointer from Cooper pushed it back to nine. After Ouachita crawled within five, OBU would take a 34-27 lead going into the break.
Marshall would explode for three 3-pointer in the second half as the Bison came out on fire in the third quarter, pushing their lead to as many as 18 points at 45-27. The Bison would hold a 48-31 lead later in the half, but cooled from the field.
Ouachita would battle all the way back going into the fourth quarter and finally took the lead at 61-59 with under the five to play in the game. Marshall responded with her fourth 3-pointer of the game to move OBU ahead 62-61. After a stop on the other end, Price knocked down a deep ball to move the lead to four. From there, it was free throws primarily from Cooper to close the game out and give the Bison the huge 72-65 win.
Cooper was 6 of 9 from the field with three 3-pointers and two steals while Marshall was 6 of 8 and 4 of 4 from deep for 16 points. Price added 11 points, five boards, and four assists while Stapleton had eight points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Shulanberger poured in eight points and two steals.
Maija Gertstone scored 25 points for the Tigers while Makayla Miller 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Bison return to action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome in Henderson State to the Noble Complex for a 1 p.m. tip.
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