Nationally 13th-ranked Arkansas Tech University had the most prolific 3-point shooting night in the history of its women’s basketball program on its way to an 89-66 Great American Conference win over Ouachita Baptist University at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday night.
The Golden Suns (10-1 overall, 6-1 GAC) were 16-of-37 from beyond the 3-point arc, breaking the previous single-game program record of 15 made 3-pointers and serving as fuel for their ninth consecutive win.
Tech’s Anissa Pounds connected on 7-of-11 3-point attempts and netted a season-high 24 points.
“Anissa is an elite player,” said Golden Suns head coach Dave Wilbers. “Give her credit. She’s been in here working on her shot.”
Kelsey McClure added 15 points for Arkansas Tech. Cheyenne North and Brianna Williams chipped in 10 points apiece.
The Golden Suns forced Ouachita Baptist into 23 turnovers. The Lady Tigers (7-6, 4-3) had averaged 107.5 points per game in their two most recent contests before their visit to Tucker Coliseum on Thursday night.
“I thought in those first four minutes with the start they got off to they might score 150 points on us,” said Wilbers. “Once we got settled in and figured out their pattern, we did a better job. They run a good Princeton-style offense, and we don’t see it too much. It’s hard to guard, but we did a good job.”
Arkansas Tech took the lead for good with a 13-0 run late in the first quarter. The Golden Suns held a 23-20 advantage after one quarter, and by the time Pounds drained a 3-pointer at the 5:25 mark of the second quarter their margin was 36-24.
Tech led 46-33 at halftime and by as many as 29 points in the third quarter. Ouachita Baptist pulled within 67-49 in the final minute of the third quarter, but the Golden Suns responded with 11 unanswered points to remove any remaining doubt.
Alivia Huell paced the Lady Tigers with 13 points.
The Golden Suns will visit Southern Arkansas University for a 1 p.m. GAC contest in Magnolia on Saturday, Jan. 14. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
