Four Southeastern Oklahoma State University players reached double figures in scoring on Thursday night and the Savage Storm registered an 80-59 Great American Conference win over Arkansas Tech University in women’s basketball at Bloomer Sullivan Arena in Durant, Okla.
Arkansas Tech overcame 3-of-16 field goal shooting in the first quarter and trailed by just two points (15-13) at the end of one period.
The Golden Suns’ shooting struggles and foul trouble caught up with them late in the second quarter. After ATU starters Jacie Higgins and Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse went to the bench with three fouls apiece, Southeastern Oklahoma State closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 38-22 advantage at the intermission.
ATU finished the first half 7-of-34 (21 percent) from the field.
“Foul trouble was tough for us tonight,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach. “We had to change defenses so many times because they were hitting shots. We missed a lot of little shots from point blank range in the first quarter. The team is practicing hard and trying to do what we’re asking them to do. We just have to get some more players producing.”
Southeastern Oklahoma State (6-4 overall, 4-2 GAC) maintained at least a 12-point lead throughout the second half as it improved to 5-2 at home this season.
Briley Moon paced the Savage Storm with a career-high 21 points. She was 4-of-4 from 3-point range. Kamryn Cantwell notched 16 points, Katie Webb contributed 14 points and Alix Robinson had 11 points for Southeastern.
Hannah Villines scored a team-high 12 points for the Arkansas Tech (5-6, 2-3). Leighton Taylor added 10 points.
The Golden Suns will face East Central University for a 1 p.m. GAC contest at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla., on Saturday, Jan. 5. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
