Clutch Plays Late Lift Golden Suns 68-65

With second place in the Great American Conference women’s basketball standings on the line Saturday afternoon, Arkansas Tech University turned to its defense to get the job done.

The Golden Suns (20-3 overall, 16-3 GAC) held Henderson State University scoreless for the final 3:57 to earn a 68-65 win over the Reddies at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.

With the victory, Arkansas Tech took a two-game lead over Henderson State (18-7, 14-5) in the race for the No. 2 seed in the GAC Tournament and clinched its fourth consecutive 20-win season.

“The difference I saw those last four minutes was that every shot (Henderson State) took was contested,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach. “They were getting some open looks early in the game, and they are going to make those. When it came down to crunch time, our defense locked up. We have a bunch of competitors with a drive to win.”

Blu Jones scored Henderson State’s final points of the day and gave the Reddies a 65-64 lead on a layup at the 3:57 mark.

Cheyenne North’s offensive rebound and put-back basket for the Golden Suns with 2:52 left gave them the lead for good.

Two hustle plays in the final 10 seconds sealed the deal. With Tech still leading 66-65 and 9.8 seconds left, Lyrik Williams dove on a loose ball and the Suns called timeout. North subsequently made 1-of-2 free throws with 6.3 seconds remaining to increase the lead to 67-65.

Williams did it again with 0.1 seconds left, getting a defensive rebound after a missed jump shot by HSU’s Pink Jones. The Reddies fouled Williams and she made 1-of-2 free throws to set the final score.

“That loose ball was a big play,” said Wilbers. “When you have two teams that are that equally matched, it comes down to who makes the plays at the end.”

North finished with a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds. Williams had 17 points and 12 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season. Kylie Ladd added 13 points and Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Tech.

Haleigh Henson scored a season-high 24 points to pace the Reddies. She was 6-of-12 from 3-point range.

The Golden Suns will host Harding University for a 5:30 p.m. GAC contest at Tucker Coliseum on Monday, Feb. 19.

Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Faculty, staff and students with their valid ATU identification card will be admitted free of charge.