Defense down the stretch allowed Arkansas Tech University to pull away for a 68-53 Great American Conference women’s basketball victory over East Central University at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday.
The Golden Suns (15-2 overall, 11-2 GAC) held the Tigers without a point for a span of more than eight minutes during the fourth quarter. Arkansas Tech scored 14 unanswered points during ECU’s drought and cruised to its 11th win in its last 12 games.
“I thought we really defended well,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach. “We only gave them one shot in the second half and really dominated the defensive boards.”
The Suns out-rebounded the Tigers 38-30 and held ECU to six offensive rebounds.
Tech’s Kylie Ladd finished with 16 points, 11 of which came in the second half. She also contributed five rebounds, five assists and four steals.
“Kylie took over with her hustle,” said Wilbers.
Tech’s Jayana Sanders beat the buzzer at the end of the first and second quarters, connecting on a 3-pointer at the conclusion of the first 10 minutes and making a running 10-foot jumper just before halftime. The Golden Suns went to the intermission with a 31-28 lead.
Good shooting in the third quarter helped Arkansas Tech pull away. The Suns connected on 9-of-13 field goal attempts during those 10 minutes and closed the period on a 9-2 run to claim a 54-43 advantage.
ECU’s Lakin Preisner opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer with 9:33 to go, but those proved to be the Tigers’ final three points until a Madison Nickens’ trey with 1:21 left. Tech limited East Central to 3-of-13 shooting from the field during the fourth quarter.
Preisner scored a team-high 13 points for the Tigers (6-11, 5-8).
The Golden Suns will visit Northwestern Oklahoma State University for a 5:30 p.m. GAC contest at Percefull Fieldhouse in Alva, Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Live coverage will be available from radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com.
