
It would have been really easy for the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns to let go of the rope.
But they didn’t, and their continued hard work and belief through adversity was rewarded on Saturday with a 64-51 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
“It was a good, clean game,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head women’s basketball coach. “I thought it was a good 40-minute effort. We took care of the basketball against a lot of pressure. They play a really good zone. What they gave us, we took. They gave us the baseline shot, and Julie (Wagner) hit the baseline shot.”
Wagner matched her career high with 20 points. Her smile as the Golden Suns left the floor was no doubt a combination of happiness and relief. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak, the longest in ATU women’s basketball history.
“We’re working just as hard as we ever have,” said Wilbers. “It is good to get a reward. We’ve just been coming out here every day and practicing. Nothing has changed with the way we’re practicing and the effort that our players giving. They all have good attitudes. If they keep that, there are even better days ahead of us.”
The Golden Suns (4-14 overall, 2-12 Great American Conference) and the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (9-11, 6-8) are on the road this week. They will play doubleheaders at Southern Nazarene University at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, and at Oklahoma Baptist University at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
Live coverage of all four games will be provided by KCJC 102.3 FM, the EAB Media Group app and www.arkansastechsports.com.
The Wonder Boys are tied for seventh in the GAC standings. That puts them just inside the cut line to make the GAC Tournament with eight games remaining in the regular season. This week’s road trip to Oklahoma will pit ATU’s men against the top two teams in the GAC.
“God’s got a plan,” said Mark Downey, ATU head men’s basketball coach. “He’s put us right here in this position for a reason. There are no mistakes. I’ve got to figure it out. I have to be better. We’re going to keep plugging and see what we can do.”
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.