Aujana Dawkins and Danielle Frachiseur scored 14 points apiece to lead nationally 23rd-ranked Arkansas Tech University to a 64-52 Great American Conference women’s basketball win over East Central University at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla., on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Golden Suns (8-2 overall, 6-0 GAC) maintained sole possession of first place in the GAC standings and earned their first road victory over ECU since 1999.
“It feels really good,” said Dave Wilbers when asked about his first win in five tries at the Kerr Activities Center. “We fell into their tempo in the first half, but in the second half our defense was outstanding and we wore them down. I’ve brought some really good teams in here and lost. I think this is going to be a good team, too.”
Dawkins and Frachiseur were a combined 14-of-17 from the field. Dawkins added a season-high 12 rebounds, while Frachiseur had seven rebounds. Tierani Richardson scored 10 points for the Golden Suns.
The score was tied 28-28 at halftime. Arkansas Tech held the Tigers to 1-of-13 shooting from the field in the third quarter, allowing the Suns to earn a 42-34 advantage going to the fourth period.
East Central was still within eight points midway through the fourth quarter before a Frachiseur bucket and a 3-pointer by Richardson extended the Arkansas Tech advantage to 55-42 with 3:41 left.
The Suns maintained at least a nine-point margin the rest of the way and made 7-of-8 free throws over the final 50 seconds to put it away.
Alexa Adair had 11 points for the Tigers (2-8, 2-4).
The Golden Suns will face Ouachita Baptist University for a 5:30 p.m. GAC contest at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
