Laura Beth Anderson sparked a 13-0 second-half run to lift the nationally sixth-ranked Arkansas Tech Golden Suns to an 80-57 victory over the St. Edward’s University Hilltoppers at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday.
Anderson’s free throw with 16:59 remaining gave the Golden Suns a 44-39 advantage.
Over the next 4:16, Anderson (photographed) scored three points, made two steals, grabbed two offensive rebounds and dished out an assist. Her play was the catalyst for a surge that put Tech (6-1) in front 56-39 with 12:43 remaining.
The Suns’ lead never dipped below 11 points the rest of the way as they won their 23rd consecutive home game, tying the fourth-longest home winning streak in the 34-year history of intercollegiate women’s basketball at Arkansas Tech.
Anderson finished with eight points, a career-high eight rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. She also made four steals.
Arkansas Tech’s Natalia Santos scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Jenny Vining added 15 points and four assists for the Golden Suns.
Tech’s second-half spurt came just as the storm clouds were gathering. Starters Jessica Weatherford and Shaquilah Davis had gone to the bench with four fouls apiece.
They were relieved by Katie Horsman and Lindsey Root, who combined to give Arkansas Tech 33 key minutes off the bench. Horsman provided Tech with seven points and four rebounds and Root notched six points and three rebounds.
Kasey Harlos led St. Edward’s (5-4) with 12 points.
The Golden Suns will be idle until Saturday, Dec. 11, when they will face Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Russellville radio station KWKK 100.9 FM and www.athletics.atu.edu will have the play-by-play call of the game.
The Suns defeated Lambuth 107-60 in Russellville on Nov. 20.
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