Adams Dominant in 87-64 Golden Suns’ Win

Fatima Adams’ All-America credentials were on full display at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia on Thursday night.

Adams scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead nationally 20th-ranked Arkansas Tech University to an 87-64 Great American Conference victory over the Henderson State Reddies.

It was the sixth consecutive win for the Golden Suns (12-2 overall, 10-0 GAC), who remain in sole possession of first place in the league standings.

“Lots of teams think they can play zone defense and take our post players away from us, but our guards do a great job of getting them the basketball,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Dave Wilbers. “(Adams) was a step quicker and able to jump higher than anyone else on the floor tonight.”

Adams was 10-of-15 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free throw line. It was her fourth career game with 30 or more points and her 21st career double-double.

Anissa Pounds added 13 points for Arkansas Tech, which improved to 17-1 in its last 18 women’s basketball games against Henderson State.

The Golden Suns’ combination of Aujana Dawkins and Danielle Frachiseur limited HSU’s Dulincia Keener to six points. Keener entered the night fourth in the GAC in scoring at 19.4 points per game.

“Aujana and Dani rose to the challenge,” said Wilbers. “They did a fantastic job on (Keener). A big difference for our team over the last five or six games has been our post players’ ability to play physically without fouling.”

Arkansas Tech raced out to a 20-8 lead in the first nine minutes of the game and held a 46-34 advantage at halftime. The margin reached 21 points at the end of three quarters and the outcome was never in doubt during the final period.

Haleigh Henson scored 17 points for the Reeddies (7-9, 6-4).

The Golden Suns will host the University of Arkansas-Monticello for a 1 p.m. GAC contest at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Tickets ($5 adults / $3 senior citizens and students) will be available at the door. Those with a valid Arkansas Tech identification card will be admitted free of charge. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.