How does a basketball team respond to adversity?
The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns were within two points of the lead with less than four minutes remaining at Northwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday, only to watch the Lady Rangers pull away for a 72-62 victory in the Great American Conference opener for both teams.
Less than 48 hours later, and on the fourth day of the longest road trip of the season, the Golden Suns (3-3 overall, 1-1 GAC) responded by shooting 60 percent from the field in the second half to defeat Southwestern Oklahoma State 75-70.
“We’ve talked to the team about the fact that we’re going to have to overcome a lot this year,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head women’s basketball coach. “It just is what it is. Some years are like that. We didn’t play so well in Alva, but Saturday was a new opportunity. You can’t understand these Oklahoma trips and how hard they are until you experience them. The returners know what to expect, but I was really impressed with our new guys.”
The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (3-5, 0-2) had an 0-2 road trip to NWOSU and SWOSU, extending their losing streak to four games.
It’s a streak that began when Missouri Western overcame a 15-point, second-half deficit to defeat the Wonder Boys 69-67 at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Nov. 22. Arkansas Tech, which led the GAC in field goal percentage defense (42 percent) last season, has allowed its last four opponents to cumulatively shoot 50 percent from the floor.
“I told our character coach, Chris Russell, five minutes after the Missouri Western game that I was afraid that was going to carry over,” said Mark Downey, ATU head men’s basketball coach. “Losing that lead and losing that game close has put our guys in a state that when bad stuff starts to happen, we let the wheels fall off. We’re not tough enough right now to stop it from happening.”
This week, Arkansas Tech will host Henderson State for a doubleheader at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Tucker Coliseum before traveling to Magnolia to face Southern Arkansas at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Tickets for the home doubleheader on Thursday are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
Live coverage of all four games will be provided by KCJC 102.3 FM, the EAB Media Group app and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
