Arkansas Tech University’s full-court press accumulated no rust over the holiday break.
The Golden Suns forced Lincoln University (Mo.) into 31 turnovers and ran away from the Blue Tigers 93-55 in non-conference women’s basketball at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday.
“Credit our players, they came back from the holiday break in shape,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach. “They did a good job of working out, and then we came back and had three of our best practices of the year. Lincoln is a good half-court team, so we knew we needed to get the tempo going today.”
Arkansas Tech (7-1) scored the first five points of the game and maintained the lead the rest of the way. It was 20-12 at the end of the first quarter, and a 17-3 Golden Suns’ run over the first 4:37 of the second quarter pushed their advantage to 37-15.
Tech forced the Blue Tigers (3-9) into 20 first-half turnovers and used a 30-2 edge in points off turnovers to build a 55-21 lead at the intermission.
Any remaining doubt was erased when the Golden Suns scored the first 11 points of the third quarter to build their largest margin of the day at 45 points. Tech maintained at least a 31-point lead the rest of the way.
ATU matched its season-high in 3-point field goals made with 10 and had its highest-scoring game of the season.
Lyrik Williams had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way for the Golden Suns. Tech’s Taylor Ely, Kylie Ladd, Jacie Higgins and Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse scored 13 points apiece. Ashley Breathitt notched nine points and a game-high six steals.
Citlali Lopez scored a game-high 26 points for Lincoln.
The Golden Suns will resume Great American Conference play by visiting Oklahoma Baptist University for a 5:30 p.m. contest in Shawnee, Okla., on Thursday, Jan. 4. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
“We have a lot of little things that need improvement,” said Wilbers. “We need to work on the rotations in our zone defense, and we are committing some unnecessary fouls. We have time to work on those things while school is out. This is a time when we need to dedicate our lives to basketball.”
