WBU Tops Ozarks 96-63 in Season Opener

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (10/28/23)  – Five players scored in double figures and Head Coach John Mayberry collected his 100th career victory on Saturday afternoon as the Williams Baptist University women's basketball defeated University of the Ozarks 95-63 in the season opener inside the Southerland-Mabee Center.

WBU shot a blisterting 66.7 percent from the floor (38-57), while holding its oppponent to just a 41.9 percent (26-62) while also forcing 24 turnovers. Williams handed out 24 assists on its 38 made baskets, with Taylor Hooten dooling out 10 dime.

Carmen Taylor led all players with 17 points - 11 in the second half - with her sister Charmen Taylor scoring 16 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night, including 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Kaylee Clark added 15 points and a game-high six rebounds, while Sara Crowe dropped 12 points. 

The game was a close content midway through the second quarter with WBU leading 30-28, but a 10-0 run from the Eagles that included a Hooten 3-pointer pushed the advantage to double-digits and WBU never looked back. 

In the second half, WBU upped its lead to 62-37 with a transition layup by Charmen Taylor on a perfect pass from Clark as part of a 10-0 run that forced a timeout by Ozarks. Late in the contest Williams went over the 90-point mark on a 3-pointer from Seanlajah Smith to expand the lead out to 39. 

WBU returns to the court Saturday, Nov. 4 for a 1 p.m. contest against Champion on Homecoming Day.