ARKADELPHIA- The Tigers of Ouachita Baptist University held close behind throughout the game but eventually fell Saturday afternoon to the league leading Redmen of Northeastern (OK) State University by a score of 72-59. Meanwhile, the OBU ladies rolled past the top ranked Lady Reds, 67-53, in Lone Star Conference North Division games played at OBU’s Bill Vining Arena in the Roy and Christine Sturgis Physical Education Center.

The win by the Lady Tigers (14-3,4-2) continued their perfect season at the Sturgis Center with 10 consecutive season victories. Last week, the Lady Tigers were ranked 23rd in the nation in the USA Today/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association national poll and number two in the NCAA Division south central region poll.

The Tigers kept Saturday’s game close and even led the contest, 26-25, with two minutes left in the half. Ouachita was down at intermission at 28-29. The veteran-ladened Redmen (16-3,7-0), showed why they have the number one ranking in the Lone Star conference by pulling away from OBU in the second half.

Ouachita was led by freshmen Jarris Kentle of Pine Bluff with 24 points on seven of 13 from the field including three of five from the three point arc, and seven of seven from the foul line. Sophomore Tim Lane of Cleburne, TX led the team in rebounding as he pulled down 10 rebounds. As a team, the Tigers shot 24 of 47 from the field including three of 12 for three points and 21 of 26 from the charity stripe.

The Redmen shot 20 of 53 from the field including five of 17 from the three point arc and 14 of 15 from the foul line. OBU pulled down a mere 20 rebounds to NSU’s 36.

The loss dropped the Tigers to a fifth place standing in the eight team LSC North Division.

In the second game of the afternoon, the Lady Tigers came out strong but could not hold a substantial lead in the first stanza. Coach Garry Crowder’s club headed into the locker room at halftime with a 31-27 lead.

The Lady Tigers displayed an aggressive defense and finally pulled away from the Lady Reds (10-8,4-3) for the final margin of victory.

Senior guard Jamie Scheppmann of Cove (Van-Cove) led the Lady Tigers with 30 points on 12 of 19 from the field including four of eight from the free throw line, while grabbing three steals and three rebounds.

As a team, the Lady Tigers shot 24 of 46 from the field including seven of 14 from the three point arc and 12 of 20 from the foul line. The Lady Reds shot 17 of 53 from the field including three of 11 for three points and 16 of 18 from the charity stripe. OBU won the rebounding battle with 34 to NSU’s 28.

The win by the Lady Tigers eases them into a tie with the East Central University Lady Tigers (10-8,4-2) from Ada, Oklahoma for the conference lead.

The Lady Tigers and Tigers will take on cross town rivals Henderson State University at HSU’s Duke Wells Center at 5:45 and 7:45, respectively on Thursday night, February 3.

Lady Tiger coach Garry Crowder and Tiger coach Mike Reynolds will guide their teams in yet another LSC North Division home match-up against the Bisons and Lady Bisons of Harding University on Saturday, February 5 at Vining Arena. The men’s game starts at 2 p.m., followed by the women at approximately 4 p.m.

Box Score for this Game