Clarksville, Ark.-The women's basketball team overcame a tough loss Saturday to pull out a 64-61 win over Howard Payne University Monday night in a key American Southwest Conference game.
Ozarks (7-5, 4-4 ASC) led 30-23 and never gave up the lead in the second half although Howard Payne (6-4, 3-3 ASC) tied it twice. But the Lady Eagles always responded with clutch baskets. Bryanna Moltz hit a free throw with 1:09 remaining that gave Ozarks the lead for good. After Howard Payne cut the deficit to 62-61 with 30 seconds left, Ashley Hipps hit a crucial layup with only two seconds on the clock to secure the game. Howard Payne tied the score 41-41 at the 12:17 mark of the second half, but Roseanna Ezell scored an inside bucket to put the Lady Eagles in front. Ozarks got outstanding play off the bench from Ezell, who scored 16 points and missed just one shot from the field. She hit all six of her free throw attempts. It was Moltz though that led the team with 18 points and ten rebounds. Hipps also had ten rebounds and ten points.
Madison Sherrer contributed ten points in the win.
Ozarks will host Mary Hardin-Baylor January 8.
