Clarksville, Ark.-The Lady Eagles needed a pair of late free throws from Jordyn Ferrell to pull out a 43-41 win over Rust College in non-conference play Wednesday night.
Ozarks (9-9) avenged a double overtime loss to Rust (6-12) in the season’s opening game in Holly Springs, Mississippi November 15.
Wednesday night, the Lady Eagles let a six-point advantage slip away with five minutes remaining in the game. Rust closed the gap to 39-37 and then tied the contest with 1:26 left. Ozarks missed on its ensuing possession, but grabbed the rebound only to commit a turnover with 54 seconds left. Tamara Wilkett then forced a Rust turnover to give Ozarks a chance at the last shot with 18 ticks left. The Lady Eagles would run the clock down and force Rust to foul with 2.8 seconds left. Ferrell then hit both free throws to secure the game.
The Lady Eagles held a 21-19 halftime lead and the two teams combined for just 15 field goals. Rust hit 50 percent from the field in the second half while Ozarks hit only 30 percent. Ozarks held the only double-digit lead of the game, and that came at the 12:58 mark of the second half when Ferrell made two free throws.
Ferrell led Ozarks with 16 points. Taylor Farmer added 13 points.
Ozarks will travel to Longview, Texas to face LeTourneau University January 26.
Topics: Athletics