St. Louis, Mo. - The University of the Ozarks women's basketball team won the Angle Saddler Memorial Tip-Off Classic and improved to 2-0 on the season Saturday with a hard-fought 60-55 victory over Wittenberg University.
Ozarks overcame an early deficit and used a strong second half to secure the five-point victory.
Wittenberg jumped out to a 22-13 lead after the first quarter, but the Eagles responded with a dominant defensive effort in the second period. Ozarks held Wittenberg to just eight points in the quarter and trimmed the deficit to 30-28 at halftime.
The Eagles continued their momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Wittenberg 17-13 to take a 45-43 lead into the final period. Ozarks maintained its advantage down the stretch, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter to close out the win.
Kennedi Wight led the Eagles with an outstanding performance, recording a game-high 23 points. She finished 7-of-13 from the field and connected on 8-of-10 free throws.
Amarys Cuellar added 13 points, seven rebounds, four steals and four assists. Lila Hartness contributed eight points, while Abby Beene finished with seven points and six rebounds.
Ozarks' defensive pressure proved to be a major difference, as the Eagles forced 25 turnovers and converted those opportunities into 24 points. The Eagles also recorded 10 steals and scored 10 fast-break points.
The Eagles finished 21-of-51 (41.2 percent) from the field and 16-of-27 (59.3 percent) from the free-throw line. Wittenberg shot 38.2 percent from the floor.
Kennedi Wight was named to the All-Tournament Team, while Abby Beene earned MVP honors of the Tournament.
The Eagles will travel to Memphis to take on Rhodes College November 11.
