Suns Look For 8th Straight Win Saturday

Dave Wilbers has seen his share of big games in five years as head coach of the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball program. 
 
As he prepares to lead Arkansas Tech through the final week of the 2011-12 regular season with the inaugural Great American Conference championship on the line, Wilbers is adhering to the philosophy that has allowed him to win 124 of his first 148 games as a head coach.
 
“We take it one game at a time, but we really break it down even further than that,” said Wilbers (photographed). “We take it one day at a time, one practice at a time, one drill at a time.”
 
The nationally 14th-ranked Golden Suns (18-3 overall, 9-3 GAC) will host the Henderson State Lady Reddies (12-10, 5-7) for a 4 p.m. league contest at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, Feb. 18.
 
Tickets, which will be available at promotional prices of $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens, will be available at the door. Those with a valid Arkansas Tech identification card will be admitted free of charge.
 
Arkansas Tech is tied with Harding University (16-6, 9-3) for first place in the GAC standings with four regular season games remaining. The Golden Suns and the Lady Bisons will meet at Rhodes Field House in Searcy on Monday, Feb. 20.
 
Wilbers believes his team has the maturity to keep its focus in the present.
 
“We know that Henderson State is a good team,” said Wilbers. “They have some very athletic players. We need a good crowd out on Saturday. It’s really an eight-day season to determine the regular season now.”
 
Arkansas Tech has won seven consecutive games. The Golden Suns pulled into a tie for first place on Thursday night when they defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State 71-52 and Harding suffered a 76-60 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
 
Henderson State won its first four GAC games of the season, but Arkansas Tech went to Arkadelphia and defeated the Lady Reddies 80-63 on Jan. 21. It was the beginning of a slump that has seen Henderson State lose seven of its last eight games.
 
Saturday’s game will be broadcast by KWKK 100.9 FM. Live audio and video feeds will be available at www.athletics.atu.edu.

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