Arkansas Tech University is outright champion of Great American Conference women’s basketball for 2015-16.
The Golden Suns (20-3 overall, 18-1 GAC) clinched the outright title with an 82-54 win over Henderson State University at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday night.
Fatima Adams scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Arkansas Tech to its 19th consecutive home win.
The victory also clinched the 33rd 20-win season in the 39-year history of intercollegiate women’s basketball at Tech.
“It means a lot of hard work and staying the course through a long, tough season,” said Golden Suns head coach Dave Wilbers when asked what the outright title meant to him and his team. “It’s something we’ll be happy about at the end of the year. For now, we’ll just smile, say thanks and get ready for the next game.”
Arkansas Tech took control with a 13-0 run that started with an Anissa Pounds 3-pointer in the final minute of the first quarter. The Suns led 24-19 after one period.
The momentum created by Pounds’ trey carried over to the second quarter. Calli White made a 3-pointer of her own and Adams reeled off seven straight points to give Arkansas Tech a 34-19 edge with 7:22 left before halftime.
The Suns led by as many as 18 points in the second period before taking a 43-28 lead to the intermission.
A string of six consecutive made field goals allowed Arkansas Tech to stretch its advantage to 56-34 with 5:12 left in the third quarter.
The Suns led 64-43 at the end of the third period and maintained at least a 21-point margin throughout the final period as they improved to 18-1 in their last 19 games against the Reddies.
Arkansas Tech finished with a 19-1 edge in points off turnovers and a 10-0 advantage in second-chance points.
Pounds finished with 12 points for the Golden Suns. Bre Brooks matched her season high with eight assists.
Dulincia Keener scored 19 points for Henderson State (11-14, 10-9).
The Golden Suns will play their final road game of the 2015-16 regular season when they visit the University of Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday, Feb. 20. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage from Steelman Fieldhouse.
