WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Women's Basketball used a strong second half to distance themselves from Ouachita in a 66-55 win at home on Saturday.
SWOSU, now 8-6 overall with a 5-3 mark in GAC play, gets a solid bounce back win following Thursday's 78-71 setback to Henderson State.
The Lady Bulldogs trailed 25-24 at halftime before three balls started hitting in the second half. The home Dawgs shot just 30% overall and 3-for-14 from deep through quarters one and two and battled through missed layups and tough breaks early.
While SWOSU couldn't get rolling early, neither could the Tigers. They were limited to 35% shooting in the first half and were forced into committing 10 turnovers by the Lady Bulldog pressure defense. Ouachita's leading scorer, Laney Meers, had 15 at halftime but had that production was cut in half after halftime with just seven points the rest of the way.
Out of the halftime locker room the game's pace quickened, and the Dawgs got going. SWOSU shot 52% and connected on 8-of-11 (73%) from beyond the arc. With 3:05 left to play in the third quarter, the Lady Bulldogs trailed 33-30 before closing the quarter on a 13-7 run to lead 43-39 entering the fourth.
SWOSU knocked down all four of their three balls in the final quarter and outscored the Tigers 14-6 down the stretch after Ouachita had the game back within a possession midway through the fourth. Seven of Chloe Cantrell's season high 16 points came in the fourth quarter.
For a second consecutive game, Rees Berkey notched double figure scoring. She had 10 against Henderson State and finished with 13 on Saturday.
Despite being outrebounded 39-34 by the Tigers, it was SWOSU who led the second chance points category, 14-10. The Lady Dawgs also won the turnover battle by forcing 19 Ouachita turnovers while committing 12 themselves. SWOSU's 44% shooting (11-for-25) from the three-point line sets a new season high.
The Lady Bulldogs go back on the road next week where they will face a nationally ranked Harding squad Thursday and Arkansas Tech on Saturday.
