MARSHALL, Texas – A second half slump in shooting from the floor led to the East Texas Baptist University women's basketball teamdropping their second home game of the year, 58-54, to the University of Ozarks Eagles. The loss drops ETBU's record to 12-5 on the year and 5-3 in the ASC East and is now 8-2 at Ornelas this season. ETBU shot a combined 19 percent in the third and fourth quarters and made just one three-pointer.

Taylee Alexander recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds while Lauren Lee had 12 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Morgan Garrett also contributed with eight points and five rebounds. For Ozarks, Ashley Hipps led all scorers with 18 points while Madison Sherrer finished with 14 points and six rebounds.

Overall, Ozarks won every shooting category. They outshot ETBU 32.3%-29.9% from the field, 28.6%-14.3% from the three-point line, and 70.6%-50% from the free throw line. ETBU did dish out 16 assists to Ozarks' eight as well as won the battle in rebounds with a 52-46 edge.

The first quarter saw ETBU get off to a tremendous start by going on a 10-2 run from the tip off. Lee and Malaisia Chisholm had four points each during the stretch. ETBU would up their lead to 16-7 on basket by Garrett at the 3:05 mark in the first. The Eagles would respond with the next six points that saw them cut into the lead to three on a Hipps three-pointer. After Raziya Chase made ETBU's lead to 18-13, Ozarks hit a two-pointer at the buzzer cutting the lead to 18-15 in ETBU's favor.

In the second quarter, ETBU jumped to a 7-2 run with baskets by Alexander and a three by Chisholm. Ozarks would make it 25-22 in ETBU's favor before a Garrett three brought the lead to six. Alexander's sixth point in the quarter made it an eight point ETBU lead before Ozarks would finish with four straight points trailing the Tigers, 30-26 at the half.

Ozark's momentum carried over to the third quarter as they jumped off to an 11-2 run to make it 37-32 at the 6:40 mark. The Tigers would rally to tie it at 37 on free throws by Cekret Davis. When Garrett hit her second three of the game, it put ETBU up 40-39 at the 2:08 mark. With the score tied at 42, Hopkins hit a jumper to put ETBU up 44-42 after three quarters of play.

In the final quarter, it was a jump shot by Sherrer that would give Ozarks a 48-46 lead. That would prove to be a lead ETBU could not overcome as the Eagles expanded their lead to five on two occasions. ETBU would cut into the lead at 53-51 but Ozarks would follow with a jumper that would put Ozarks back up four. ETBU did bring the game to 55-53 on a Davis free throw and would have a chance to tie the game. But their shots could not fall and Ozarks would make critical free throws to seal the win. ETBU made their final shot from the floor at the 3:55 mark and then missed their next 13 shots from the floor to end the game.

ETBU returns home for two games next week as they host LeTourneau on Thursday at 5:30 pm and Texas-Tyler on Saturday at 1 pm.