GAME DETAILS
University of the Ozarks 93, Arlington Baptist College 82
Records: University of the Ozarks (2-12), Arlington Baptist College (6-5)
Wednesday , Jan. 17, 2018
Clarksville, Arkansas | Mabee Gymansium
Story written by Rhett Williamson, University of the Ozarks student sports reporter

THE BASICS
The Arlington Baptist College Patriots came out firing Wednesday night, but the Eagles' efficiency trumped the Patriots volume in the first half to fuel a 93-82 win. Arlington Baptist went a lowly 6-for-35 from the field in the first half, including 2-of-17 from deep. Destinee Manning, who pulled down 12 rebounds in the first half, and the rest of the Eagles took advantage of the visiting team's shooting woes to corral 43 rebounds in the first two quarters. Hailey Ostrander had a well-rounded first half, scoring nine points and adding five rebounds and three assists. The Patriots stayed within striking distance until Kamryn McKinney entered the game and provided a spark off the bench en route to 11 first half points and 17 for the game on 3-of-4 three-point shooting. Ten Eagle three-pointers found the bottom of the net and Head Coach Carl Ramsey believes that was one of the most encouraging aspects of the game.

"We've been really struggling with the three-point shot," he said. "I think tonight we shot 47 percent from the three-point line…We have needed something good to happen to get some confidence up." The Eagles went on to lead 46-26 at the half.

The Patriots had no answer for forwards Diamond Goodwyn and Cassie Emerson in the third quarter. Emerson had eight of her 13 points in the third, and Goodwyn played very well, as she racked up 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Patriots shot a little better and even made 10-of-13 free throws in the quarter, but Ozarks still stretched their lead to 30. The fourth period was a drastic deviation from the three prior periods that saw the Eagles dominate every aspect of the game.

Arlington Baptist guards Zayda Gonzales and Carmen Williams, who paced their team with 25 and 30 points, led a furious final frame comeback. They hit five of their eight three-point baskets in the quarter and made life uncomfortable for the Eagles. In regards to the end of the contest, Ramsey said he was "glad time ran out when it did, because coming down the stretch I wasn't really sure." With 2:24 remaining in the game a Kira Gaitlyn layup pulled the Patriots within 15 and less than a minute later Gonzales came up with a steal and a score, making the score 86-73. Luckily the Eagles did just enough to hang on and come out victorious. The closest the visitors got was 92-82 when Daija Stanford got fouled and made a tough two point basket with 22 seconds left on the clock. The Eagles made one final free throw and won the game 93-82.

Ostrander and Manning starred as Ostrander finished with a near triple double at 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Manning poured in 13 points and 18 rebounds.


VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

LEADERS
Scoring - Hailey Ostrander (20)
Rebounding - Destinee Manning (18)
Assists - Hailey Ostrander (7)

KEY STATISTICS
The Eagles outrebounded the Patriots 72 to 34, including 43 to 17 in the first half. When asked about the rebounding margin Coach Ramsey said, "That was probably the biggest difference in the ball game. They didn't get their second and third shots. In the second half they were hitting the first one, but we couldn't afford to give them another."

PLAY OF THE GAME
At the 7:56 mark of the third quarter, Anisha Johnson hit Destinee Manning with a 3/4 court pass over the top of the Patriot's press for an open layup.

OZARKS STARTERS
Diamond Goodwyn, Destinee Manning, Hailey Ostrander, Savannah Kate Smith, Anisha Johnson

LIVE COVERAGE
Live Video: https://livestream.com/kuoz

UP NEXT
The Eagles will travel to Richardson, Texas, to face UT Dallas January 20.

Written by Rhett Williamson, University of the Ozarks student sports reporter