WARNER—Connors State Cowgirls used a fourth quarter scoring spurt to put away Arkansas Baptist in the Cowgirls Classic Saturday 68-53 at Melvin Self Field House.

Cowgirls held a 48-40 lead after three quarters of play, before outscoring the Buffaloes 20-13 to pull away for victory.

In the opening game of the classic Murray State stopped Southern Arkansas Tech 86-38.

Cowgirls improved to 12-2 and will next play at Bartlesville on Tuesday against Oklahoma Wesleyan University  Junior Varsity. Tip-off is 6 p.m. Cowgirls close out first semester play on Friday (Dec. 13) at home against Frank Phillips College. Tip-off is 6 p.m. at Melvin Self Field House.

"I didn't think we played extremely well today," said Coach Jamie Fisher. "Although we had some people step up today. They zoned us taking away our inside game. When they did that we had people connect from long range," said Fisher. The Cowgirls drained nine shots from behind the arc.

Lauren Wright led the Cowgirls scoring with 18 points with Zee McCallister adding another 17, which included five three-point baskets in the victory.

Cowgirls jumped out on top 16-8 after the first quarter then held a 32-30 lead at the half as the Buffaloes' Kalia Walker scored 21 of her 25 points in the second quarter to pull Arkansas Baptist with-in striking distance.

That 's when Fisher inserted Kailen Wright in the second half on Walker  to shut her scoring off. Wright held  her to just five points the remainder of  the contest. "Kailen really did a good job of guarding her and making her takes some tough shots," said Fisher.

CONNORS STATE 68, ARKANSAS BAPTIST 53

Connors State 16 16 16 20­­ --68

Arkansas Baptist 8  21  11  13—53             

Connors State (12-2, 1-1)—La. Wright 18, Zee McCallister 17, Crain 8, Reid 8, Maxwell 7, Ka. Wright 5,  Taylor 3, T. Jones 2.

Arkansas Baptist (2-12)—Walker  29, Steen 13, Roach 5, Brice 4, Miller 2.