Longview, Texas-The Lady Eagles had one of their worst shooting nights of the season from the field as LeTourneau squeezed out a 71-63 win in a key American Southwest Conference game Thursday.
Despite the loss, Ozarks (12-12, 8-11 ASC) can still qualify for the playoffs with a win against Texas-Tyler (12-12, 8-11 ASC) Saturday and if Texas-Dallas beats LeTourneau Saturday.
The Lady Eagles off to a great start against LeTourneau (13-11, 9-10 ASC) and owned the first ten minutes of the game. Sabrina Goddard scored all eight of her first half points within that ten minutes and pushed Ozarks out to a 20-8 lead. LeTourneau roared back and cut it to 24-20 with 5:20 remaining in the half and then took a 31-30 lead into intermission. Ozarks made 9-of-29 (31%) from the floor in first half play.
The Lady Eagles then experienced a tough performance from the field in the second half. Ozarks hit only 10-of-37 (27%) field goals. Nonetheless, Ozarks hung around and even led 47-46 at the 11:42 mark. LeTourneau later maintained a narrow lead for the next six minutes of the game, but Goddard hit a basket and a free throw to bring Ozarks within 58-57 at the 6:26 mark. The Lady Eagles, however, would make just two more field goals in the final six minutes. Ozarks made 10-of-11 from the free throw line in the second half.
Goddard and April Young each scored 20 points.
Topics: Athletics