Golden Suns Face Dragons to Begin 2018-19

Arkansas Tech University will begin its 42nd season of intercollegiate women’s basketball by facing Minnesota State University-Moorhead in the 2018 Central Region Challenge at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9.

The Golden Suns will remain in Kansas City to face Northern State University, the same program that defeated Arkansas Tech in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division II Tournament, on Saturday, Nov. 10. Tip-off for Saturday’s game is also scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Arkansas Tech will make its 2018-19 home debut when the Golden Suns host Ecclesia College for a 5:30 p.m. game at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

ATU Golden Suns (0-0) vs. MSU-Moorhead Dragons (0-0)
When: Friday, Nov. 9, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Mo.
Live Stats: www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: First meeting

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech was 26-4 overall and champion of the Great American Conference Tournament during the 2017-18 season. The Golden Suns made their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Top returners include senior forward Lyrik Williams (12.9 points, 8.1 rebounds per game) and sophomore guards Jayana Sanders (12.3 points per game) and Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse (11 points per game). Newcomers include junior guard Hannah Villines, who averaged 22.2 points per game at North Arkansas College last season, and junior forward Alicia Mardis, who averaged 5.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game at Kilgore College in 2017-18. Head coach Dave Wilbers begins his 12th season at ATU. His overall record at Tech is 266-66.

About the Dragons: MSU-Moorhead was 23-6 overall and regular season champion of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference last year. The Dragons appeared in their second consecutive NCAA Tournament and bowed out in the first round against eventual national champion Central Missouri. Senior guard Jacky Volkert is MSU-Moorhead’s top returning player. She averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game in 2017-18 and was named All-NSIC first team.