MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Fatima Adams turned in a 20-point performance, Danielle Frachiseur added 15 points, while Anissa Pounds chipped in 10 points as the No. 15 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team (15-3, 10-2 Great American Conference) dropped a 57-52 decision to Southern Arkansas (5-13, 3-9 Great American Conference) on Thursday at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

Arkansas Tech claimed a quick 6-2 advantage three minutes into the contest, but a 3-pointer by SAU's Brianna Sifford gave the Lady Muleriders the lead at the 12:57 mark of the opening half, and SAU would lead the rest of the way.

After a jumper by Adams at the 7:27 mark brought Tech to within one (15-14), SAU pushed ahead by nine after a 9-1 run and then extended its lead into the double digits, carrying a 12-point (36-24) advantage into the half.

SAU continued its momentum in the opening minutes of the second half, stretching its lead to 16 (40-24) with 18:31 to play, before the Golden Suns began chipping away at the Lady Mulerider lead. A 9-2 run by Tech capped by a Pounds 3-pointer brought the Golden Suns to within nine (42-33) with 10:37 to play, and the Golden Suns continued to narrow the gap.

Tech pulled to within three (53-50) on a 3-pointer by Adams with 42 seconds to play, and was within three again with 20 seconds to play, but the Golden Suns could not close the gap any further.

The contest was marred by turnovers, as the two teams combined to commit 58 turnovers (SAU 30, Tech 28). SAU controlled the rebounding glass, holding a 47-35 advantage.

The Golden Suns' defense stepped up its efforts in the second half, holding SAU to just 3-of-20 shooting, but the Lady Muleriders had a frequent-visitor pass to the free-throw line, connecting on 15-of-25 attempts in the half and 24-of-38 for the game. The Golden Suns made 25 fewer trips to the line, shooting 7-of-13 from the stripe.

Tech continues its road swing on Saturday, Jan. 31, facing Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia. A 1 p.m. tip is scheduled.