This past weekend, the Lady Tiger’s made their 1st appearance in the Arkansas Baptist College Classic.

The Champion Lady Tigers were able to finish the weekend before Thanksgiving break going 2-0. Starting with Friday’s game, the Lady Tigers were matched up against NCCAA DI and in-state rival Ecclesia College of Springdale, AR. Since the start of the program in the 2019-20 season, the Lady Tigers have gone undefeated against rival Ecclesia, including Friday’s game: 6-0. For Saturday’s match up, Champion took care of business again with a rematch against NAIA Bacone College. The Lady Tigers found themselves continuing Friday’s theme of being undefeated with a now out-of-state rival, the Lady Warriors of Bacone College. Beginning in the 2020-21 season, the Lady Tigers have also gone undefeated against BC: 4-0.  

Beginning the 1st quarter of Friday's match up against Ecclesia, the Lady Tigers really put in work on the offensive end by getting comfortable and settling in quickly, scoring 34 points against EC’s 17 points. Going into the 2nd quarter, the Lady Tigers got a little too comfortable and took their foot off the gas by only scoring 15 points and allowing EC 21 points. The Lady Tigers managed to leave the 1st half still ahead with an 11 point lead. 

Going into the second half, the Lady Tigers refocused with both ends of the court in mind. Champion Christian found their footing defensively allowing NCCAA DI Ecclesia to only 12 points in the 3rd quarter and only 13 points in 4th. Much like the 1st quarter, CCC had a great offensive 3rd quarter having scored 30 points and then 19 points in the 4th quarter. Though the Lady Tigers struggled in the 2nd quarter, they still pulled out a great win against Ecclesia: finishing 98-63. Champion achieved the team’s season highs so far of team assists at 25, shooting 45.5% from the field, 35% from the 3PT, and 70% from the charity stripe. 

The Lady Tigers were led by Kamryn Gentry. Gentry finished with another double-double: 22 points and 13 rebounds. Gentry went 9-11 from the field and 4-5 from the freethrow line with 2 assists and 1 block. 

3 more Lady Tigers also roared in finishing in double digits for the win:

Aaliyiah Clark followed just shy of a double-double with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Clark also clawed in with 5 assists, 1 block, and 2 steals. Right behind Clark, both Alysia Pickett and Justys Irish-Holmes made their presence known with 18 points and 3 steals each. Pickett also finished with 7 assists. Though this Lady Tiger didn’t finish in double digits with points, she still impacted the win. Tori Hayes led the team with 5 steals and finished with 8 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds. 

Exhausted after 2 exhibition games earlier in the week, but still hungry for another win, the Lady Tigers did what needed to be done in the rematch against NAIA Bacone College the following day.

Although Champion did not come out as hot as the day before, the Tigers were still able to go home with another win: shooting shy of 39% from the field, shy of 32% from the 3, and 64% from the free throw line. Even though Champion beat Bacone just a few weeks ago by 32, Bacone came into the game ready for war and seeking revenge. Starting the 1st quarter, CCC and BC went at each other exchanging buckets and playing very physical defense. The quarter ended with CCC up by only 1 point, leading 16-15 to the fighting Bacone Lady Warriors. The Lady Warriors really fought on the defensive end both the 1st and 2nd quarters, holding CCC to only 16 points again in the 2nd. The 1st half was centered around defense as the Lady Tigers also put in work holding Bacone to only 9 points in the 2nd quarter. The 1st half ended 32-24, Champion.

With the Lady Tigers starting the 2nd half with an 8 point lead, the Lady Warriors did not lay down. Bacone held Champion to only 11 points in the 3rd quarter; however, the Tigers made sure to only allow 11 points as well. At the start of the 4th quarter, Bacone showed that they were still in the game, only down by 8 points and ready to close in on the Lady Tigers. But the Tigers woke up and took control of the game. Within 5 minutes of the final quarter, Champion achieved their largest lead of the game of 21 points. By the final buzzer, the Lady Tigers were able to claw out the win 65-50. CCC was led again by Kamryn Gentry with 21 points.

Gentry doubled back with another double-double: 21 points and 18 rebounds. She also finished with 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Tori Hayes contributed with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. Alysia Pickett chimed in with 9 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds. Freshman, Apryl Llanes only playing shy of 7 minutes- added 8 points, going 2-3 from the 3.

LET'S GO LADY TIGERS!! #GOGOLD #TRUST

The Lady Tigers will return from break and be back in action, Thursday, Dec. 1st against South Arkansas CC, followed by another exhibition game on the road: Dec. 3rd at Louisiana Monroe (on ESPN+).