Conway, AR - For the second time in 2018 the Hendrix women's basketball team took the court in a SAA showdown with Oglethorpe. The Warriors entered the game with a record of 8-4 overall, 0-1 SAA. 

After almost a minute of play Hendrix's Madison Martin got the scoring started for HC with a made free-throw.

From there the teams heated up and a back and forth affair commenced as the teams traded blows early and often in the first quarter. 

An Amber Turner three-pointer closed the first quarter cutting into the OU lead to 15-13.

The Warriors would take the lead with an early basket in the second quarter, but the Stormy Petrels came roaring back to tie and then take the lead.

Leah Boehl made a great pass to Mary Rhinehart whose layup attempt was good to give HC the 18-17 lead. 

The Warriors continued to fight to hold the lead and a lay-up would put Hendrix ahead by three with just under five minutes to go in the half.  The teams traded baskets and the lead never exceeded three points until the Stormy Petrels took a three-point lead with 1:44 left.

OU connected on a three-pointer for the last basket of the half and the teams ran into the locker room with the score 32-28 in favor of the Stormy Petrels.

Hendrix was led by Leah Smith who notched five points and one rebound. Heather Prowse also was a leader for the Warriors with four points and one rebound.

The teams struggled collectively from the field with Oglethorpe shooting 40.0% and Hendrix (26.7%), going a combined 3-13 from three-point range. Oglethorpe was dominant on the boards corralling 23 rebounds compared to just 17 for Hendrix.

The game was up for the taking with both teams unable to pull away early in the second half. Oglethorpe holding onto a five-point lead saw that fall to three points when on Maddie Anderson made free-throws with under to seven minutes to play in the third quarter.

Martin came off the bench for the Warriors and added some much needed energy.  She connected on a lay-up to pull Hendrix within one. The Stormy Petrels countered to hold their lead but once again Martin made free-throws and the game was tied at 42 all.

Hendrix was once again able to gain a two-point edge, (46-44) with 2:18 remaining in the third quarter. From there OU would score the last eight points taking control of the lead 52-48 to end the quarter.

The fourth quarter started and Rhinehart was ready to turn up the intensity. She got herself a lay-up to give the lead back to Hendrix.

From there OU would take the lead back.  Hendrix would not take the lead again until the last bucket of the game when Smith would hit a jumper to put HC up one sealing their victory over OU 63-62.

"The girls intensity and focus was great tonight," said Head Coach Drew Gaeng. "I am very proud of our competitor character as a whole. That's a really good team we beat tonight."

Monster games were turned in by both Martin and Smith. Martin led the way with 13 points and five rebounds. Smith had 12 points and one rebound.

Vinessa Daniel also kept the Warriors in the game with nine points while Rhinehart contributed eight.

The win improved the Warriors to 9-4 overall, 1-1 SAA play. Hendrix will look for another conference win this weekend as they host Berry Sunday January 7th.  Tip-off is set for 12:00 pm.