In a challenging outing at the C.F. Gayles Fieldhouse on Monday, the College of the Ozarks Lady Cats fell short against the top-seed Langston University Lions in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals, with a final score of 73-56.

The Lady Cats opened strong with significant contributions from their key players. Logan Jones impressively led the team with 22 points, followed closely by Susanna Moran, who notched 20 points and dominated the boards with 7 rebounds. The duo was crucial in keeping the Lady Cats competitive through various stages of the contest. Blythe Benefield and Taylor Rush also played pivotal roles, providing 7 and 4 assists, respectively.

Despite a promising start and a halftime score of 37-33 favoring Langston, the Lady Cats struggled to maintain momentum. The Lions' defense, led notably by Mikayla Woods’ blocking prowess and the scoring assaults from Jordan Brown, eventually overwhelmed the Lady Cats. Langston's decisive fourth-quarter performance, where they extended their lead significantly, sealed the victory.

Taylor Rush’s attempt to spark a comeback with a fast-break 3-pointer in the final quarter highlighted the resilience of the Lady Cats, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Additional contributing efforts came from Abbey Linville, who added 4 assists, and Blakely Johnson, who secured 4 rebounds and contributed a key block.

This loss places the Lady Cats with a season record of 20-10. Despite the setback, the team's strong performances throughout the season and this tournament demonstrate their competitive spirit and promise for postseason play.

The Lady Cats now await their fate for a possible NAIA National Championship bid.