Jayana Sanders’ layup with 21 seconds left provided Arkansas Tech University with a 56-54 win over the Harding University Lady Bisons at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Monday night.
Sanders, who had missed the previous two games due to illness, drove the left side of the lane and banked it home to break a 54-54 tie.
Harding got two shots in the final 15 seconds, but Sydnie Jones’ layup with 7 seconds remaining was short and Amanda Kearney’s 3-pointer at the buzzer missed just to the left as the Golden Suns (21-3 overall, 17-3 Great American Conference) completed a regular season sweep of the Lady Bisons.
“I think we had a little Tucker Coliseum magic there at the end,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach, when asked about the missed 3-pointer by Harding at the end. “Sometimes the wind blows on that end of the floor. I’m proud of our team. We overcame a lot of adversity, including foul trouble.”
Kylie Ladd paced the Golden Suns with 20 points. She also grabbed five rebounds and made four steals.
“Heart of a champion,” said Wilbers in describing Ladd. “She plays hard every day in practice and games, and the rest of the team feeds off of her.”
Kellie Lampo had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Lady Bisons (14-14, 10-10).
The Golden Suns will play their final road game of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 22, when they take on the Ouachita Baptist Lady Tigers at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia. Tip-off in the Loveliest Village on the Ouachita River is set for 5:30 p.m.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
