Clarksville, Ark.-The University of the Ozarks Lady Eagles were unable to hold onto a 41-37 halftime advantage as the No. 9 Hardin-Simmons University Cowgirls pulled away for a 83-67 American Southwest Conference win on Thursday night.
<#IMAGE:1#>Ozarks (5-2, 3-2) took a four-point lead into halftime behind Mandi Carter’s 16 points. Carter went 6-of-9 from the field, and the Lady Eagles controlled the pace using an up-tempo style despite playing with only seven players. The Lady Eagles also benefited from a 13-of-14 performance from the free throw line in first half action, allowing them to never lose the lead in the first half. Hardin-Simmons (6-2, 4-1) went on a 13-4 run to open the second half. It was a Sarah Hauk three-pointer with 16:33 left that gave the Cowgirls a lead they would never relinquish. Ozarks answered with an Erica Eneks three-pointer at the 13:12 mark to tie the contest at 51-51. The two teams battled back-and-forth forth for the next eight minutes, with HSU holding onto a slight edge. Another Eneks three with 4:55 remaining put the Lady Eagles within in three points. However, that would be the closest Ozarks would get as the Cowgirls reeled off a 14-1 spurt to finish the game. Ozarks hit 6-of-9 from the three-point line in the second half. Carter finished with 27 points and 8 rebounds. She went 10-of-17 from the field. Lindsey Nietert had 13 points and Eneks added 12 points. Savannah Carter had a team-best 10 rebounds. Ozarks will travel to Conway to face Hendrix College on December 9.
Topics: Athletics