ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - In a thrilling Great American Conference showdown, Ouachita stormed back in the second half to secure an 85-80 victory over Oklahoma Baptist at Bill Vining Arena on Sunday.
With the result, the Tigers swept the season series with the Bison and moved into second place in the GAC while OBU moved into a tie for third.
Oklahoma Baptist (16-10, 13-7 GAC) controlled much of the first half, shooting a sharp 53.1 percent from the field and hitting eight 3-pointers to take a commanding 43-34 lead at halftime.
Ricky Brown's hot hand from deep (four 3-pointers) and
Daniel Ransom's aggressive scoring powered the Bison early.
However, Ouachita (19-7, 14-6 GAC) flipped the script in the second stanza, outscoring the visitors 51-37.
Led by Hobert Grayson's double-double performance with 20 points and 12 boards, and a clutch showing from Shaun Williams (19 points, four assists), the Tigers mounted a furious comeback. Reggie Martin added 16 points on an efficient 6-of-11 shooting, while Devyn Franklin contributed 12 points and two crucial blocks down the stretch.
The game saw six ties and eight lead changes, with Oklahoma Baptist still holding a narrow lead midway through the second half. But Ouachita's defensive intensity forced turnovers and ignited fast-break opportunities, helping them erase the deficit. A pair of three-pointers from MJ Leslie fueled a 10-2 run that put the Tigers ahead for good.
The Bison fought until the final moments, as Ransom drilled a late three to cut the lead to 79-74. After a timeout, Oklahoma Baptist inched closer with some free throws, however a three-ball from Grayson with 14 seconds left pushed the hosts ahead 84-78. Â
Ransom finished with a team-high 19 points, while Brown added 14 points.
Terry Coner Jr. chipped in 11 points and five assists, but turnovers (11 total) and a second-half shooting slump (44.0%) ultimately cost the Bison.
Next Thursday, Feb. 27, the Bison will visit Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant.
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