SHAWNEE – Fresh off a big, 90-80 win against Arkansas Tech, the Oklahoma Baptist women's hoops team will visit Ouachita on January 11 for another Great American Conference contest.
The victory over ATU on Jan. 8 helped improve the Bison's record to 7-6 and 3-4 in the GAC. Tuesday's game versus the Tigers will be the 11th all-time matchup with the series knotted up 5-5.
Offensive Explosion
The Bison went off against Arkansas Tech in their last game, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and making 19-of-23 (82.6%) from the free throw line during the 90-80 win. Their field goal percentage was the second-best total this season. Plus, the 90 points were one off tying the team's single-game high of 91 set against Midwestern State on November 23. Furthermore, OBU's point total versus Tech marked just the eighth time since 2015-16 that the green and gold reached that 90-point mark in a GAC contest.
Taylor's Breakthrough
Senior guard
Payton Taylor had been a little shy pulling the trigger on open shot attempts leading into the contest against Arkansas Tech. That quickly changed in the first quarter against the Golden Suns. With coach
Bo Overton encouraging her on, Taylor swished through her second shot of the day, a three-pointer, and ended up scoring a season-high 14 points. Taylor also sealed the win for OBU making six straight free throws in the final 72 seconds.
The Bison Five
OBU accomplished something against Arkansas Tech not previously done in the prior 12 games of the season. That feat: five players reaching double-figuring scoring.
Kalifa Ford led the way with 22 while
Jill Leslie (16), Taylor (14),
Jaylin Stapleton (12) and
Kendall Parker (11) cracked 10-plus points. The previous bests came in games against Midwestern State (Nov. 23), Cameron (Nov. 27) and Oklahoma Christian (Dec. 7) when four players reached double-figures.
Lockhart Long-Range Update
This note will remain constant throughout the season due to guard
Mallory Lockhart's ranking in the GAC and in Division II from behind the three-point line. She is second in the conference and tied for 12th in nation with 37 three-pointers. Her percentage of 44.0 is also good for 14th in the country and currently ranks fifth in OBU single-season history. Lockhart, a transfer from Oklahoma City University, has made at least one long ball in 12 straight games including a season-best seven in the November 13 game against Washburn.
Leslie's Ascension
Leslie, a 6-foot-3 freshman, is continuing to grow and provide a boost for the Bison. After scoring a season-best 16 points against Arkansas Tech, her averages over the last seven games include 8.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 60.5 percent shooting. What's also noteworthy is her ability in the offensive half court. She's made 22-of-35 (63.5%) of her two-point shots while also showing the ability to hit from three-point range (4-of-8) in the last seven games.
The Formidable Ford
Ford has been more than solid for OBU this year. She is one of only two players in the GAC to rank in the top-11 in both rebounding and scoring. She has pulled down 8.2 rebounds (3rd) and scored 14.9 points (11th) per game this season for the Bison. Ford, a native of Bono, Arkansas, has reached double-figure scoring in 10 of 13 games which includes a season-high 24 during the December 11 home win against Southeastern Oklahoma State. On the rebounding front, she has collected at least eight in nine of 13 games including a season-best 13 against Southeastern.
Last Time Out
Oklahoma Baptist put together arguably its best game of the season on Jan. 8, defeating Arkansas Tech 90-80 in Great American Conference play at the Noble Complex.
The Bison's offense was outstanding, hitting 51.6 percent, its second-best total this year. Plus, the team's bench outscored the visitors 31-12.
Furthermore, OBU cracked 90 points in a GAC game for just the eighth time since joining the conference in 2015-16. The last time the green and gold scored that many was December 1, 2018 when they tallied 92 in a win over Northwestern Oklahoma State.
Ford led the way with 22 points and eight rebounds while Leslie came off the bench and scored a season-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds. Three more players reached double-figures for OBU: Taylor with 14; Stapleton added 12 points, six rebounds and four assists; and Parker registered 11 points and a game-high six assists.
Scouting Ouachita
Among all the stats out there, Ouachita's ability to pick-pocket opponents might be its most significant. The Tigers' 12.0 steals per game average is third-best in the GAC. In eight of 10 games this year, Ouachita has notched double-digit steals. Against Arkansas-Monticello on Dec. 18, the Tigers notched 20 steals, tied for fourth-most in a single game in GAC play this season.
The other key trait Ouachita possesses is its capability from behind the three-point line. With an average of 7.9 makes per game, the Tigers rank third in the GAC. Laney Mears has led the way for her team, making 2.5 per game.
Guard Aspen Thornton is one of the leading candidates for GAC Freshman of the Year. Why? She leads the nation with a 26.6 scoring average. The Hot Springs, Arkansas native has reached double-figures every game including recording an NCAA-era school-record 43 points Dec. 2 against Arkansas Tech. Thornton also leads the conference and is 11th in DII with a 3.2 steals average.
Ouachita has two of the best rebounders in the conference. Makayla Miller and Lauren Wright are eighth and ninth, respectively, in rebounding. Miller is snagging 6.7 per game while Wright is just behind her (6.5).
