Louisiana College squeaked past the Eagles 71-68 on Thursday night in American Southwest Conference play.
Ozarks (6-9, 4-7) did hold a 68-67 lead with 1:10 remaining when Jeremy Clark completed a three-point play. But, the Wildcats (5-11, 5-7) took the lead for good when Josh Johnson hit a jumper 20 seconds later. The visitors then held Ozarks scoreless on its next possession.
Neither team could establish a large lead in the second half as the biggest advantage came with 7:35 left when the Wildcats went up 60-55. After that, Ozarks held the lead only twice, and the score was tied four times. Clark scored all eight of the Eagles’ points in the final 6:25 of the contest. Habeeb Kareem dominated the boards in the second half, as he collected 10 of the team’s 22 in the final twenty minutes of action.
Louisiana College held a narrow 39-36 lead at the half thanks to Johnson’s 20-point first half effort. Ozarks shot a respectable 78 percent from the free throw line in the game, but hit only 38 percent from the floor.
Kareem recorded his third double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Clark had 16 points.
Ozarks will host nationally ranked Mississippi College on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.