Lady Eagles Survive Late Surge From Mission on Senior Day

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (2/14/26) – The Williams Baptist University women's basketball team survived a late surge from Mission to take a 79-71 victory on Senior Day inside the Southerland-Mabee Center on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the game, WBU women's basketball recognized eight seniors for their contributions to the program over the last few seasons.  Taylor Hooten, Cha'Myrean Ellis, Cortayza Flowers, Zahriya Baker, Joi Montgomery, Sara Crowe, Seanlajah Smith, and student assistant Trey Baker were all honored in a pregame ceremony.

On the court, Cha'Myrean Ellis led the team with 25 points in just 29 minutes, followed up by Joi Montgomery with 20.  Lakiya Scott posted 14 points while leading the team with eight rebounds, and Cortayza Flowers finished with 12 points.

As a team, WBU shot 44.4 percent (28-of-63) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-for-18) from three-point range.  WBU won the rebound battle 44-30 and scored 19 second chance points.  The game featured four ties and 15 lead changes.

Mission began the game with a 12-3 run to force an Eagle timeout.  Cha'Myrean Ellis gave the Eagles their first lead of the game with a layup with 53 seconds to go in the first quarter, but Mission took the lead back to lead 18-17 at the end of the first.

After trading the lead back-and-forth in the second quarter, WBU swung for a 9-0 run out of the media timeout to go up 35-29.  Mission cut the lead to one with a free throw to make the score 36-35 at the halftime break.

Joi Montgomery began the third quarter with a three-pointer and a steal to set up Ellis for a layup to put the Eagles back ahead by six.  The Patriots fought back with a 5-0 run of their own to take a 47-46 lead.

With 2:57 left, Lakiya Scott knocked down a trey to spark an 11-2 run to carry WBU through the rest of the third quarter.

Zyonna Anderson put the Eagles ahead by 16 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Mission grabbed the momentum with a 13-2 run to cut the lead to five with four minutes to play.  The Lady Eagles defense locked up in the final minute and a half to hold MU without a field goal and protect the four-point lead.

The win moves WBU to 20-4 overall and 14-2 in American Midwest Conference play.  2025-26 is the third season in a row the Lady Eagles have secured 20 wins.  WBU also locked up the No. 2 seed in the American Midwest Conference Tournament for the second consecutive season.

Next, the Lady Eagles will round out the 2025-26 home schedule against Central Baptist on Thursday, Feb. 19.  Tipoff against the Mustangs is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Southerland-Mabee Center.