Clarksville, Ark.-The University of the Ozarks women's basketball team opened their season on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College at Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the Tyson Tip-Off tournament and came home with a 1-1 record over the weekend.
The Lady Eagles (1-1) were unable to hold onto a 36-31 lead at halftime against Wittenberg and dropped their season-opener 68-66. Ozarks shot an impressive 52 percent from the field in the first half, but then shot 34 percent in the second half, allowing Wittenberg to overcome their five-point halftime deficit. The Lady Eagles held a 59-58 advantage with 4:15 remaining, but Wittenberg took the lead for good thirty seconds later. Sophomore guard Erica Eneks hit 4-of-4 from the three-point line and scored 21 points in the contest. Freshman forward LaTisha McCalister followed with 19 points and led the team with seven rebounds. The Lady Eagles used a big second half performance to upend Washington College, 74-57, in their second and final game of the Tyson Tip-Off tournament. Ozarks held a 32-29 lead at halftime, but exploded for 42 points and held Washington to 28 points in the second half to gain their first win of the young season. A jumper by Olivia Fisher with 7:45 remaining gave the Lady Eagles a 60-48 advantage and jumpstarted a 14-9 run to finish the game. Ozarks held a 19 point lead on four different occasions in the second half. McCalister led the team with 23 points. Fisher and Mandi Carter had 12 points apiece. Carter grabbed 14 rebounds. Ozarks home-opener will be against University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on November 26 at 1:00 p.m. The men’s game will follow at 3:00 p.m. The Lady Eagles will then face Concordia-Austin on November 28 at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s game following at 7:30 p.m.
Topics: Athletics