Marshall, Texas-Taylor Farmer, Bryanna Moltz and Ashley Hipps combined for 73 points to lead the Lady Eagles to a 92-80 win over American Southwest Conference opponent East Texas Baptist University Thursday on the road.
The Lady Eagles (5-3, 2-2 ASC) used a full court defensive press in the second half to take control of the game and score a number of baskets. Ozarks outscored East Texas Baptist (3-3, 0-2 ASC) 60-34 behind a 22-of-34 (64%) shooting effort from the floor in the second half.
"I was proud of how we came back in the second half," said head coach Carl Ramsey. "I was disappointed in the way we played the first half. I challenged them at halftime and got on them pretty hard. We were down 16 points in the first half on the road. The girls could have easily given up, but they didn't. I was real pleased to come away with the win."
Both Farmer and Moltz recorded double-doubles in the game. Farmer had 25 points with 13 rebounds, while Moltz scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Moltz missed just one shot attempt the whole night. Hipps was on fire from the three-point line, hitting 8-of-13 to end the night with 24 points.
"Those three stepped up," said Ramsey. "It is pretty hard to beat that type of effort."
Ozarks' pressure defense was key to the victory, according to Ramsey.
"Our pressure got to them in the second half and we were fortunate to get some easier shots," he said. "That pressure resulted in a 28-point swing. We played well on both ends of the floor tonight."
Ozarks will host nationally-ranked Texas-Tyler December 13.