RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Tech women's basketball team opens up the fifth season of Great American Conference play Thursday, looking to defend its regular season crown beginning with a weekend road trip that opens up with a 5:30 p.m. clash against Southwestern Oklahoma.

SCOUTING THE SUNS

Tech (1-0, 0-0 GAC) opened its 2015-16 campaign with a 82-62 victory over Lane Saturday afternoon. A tight first half turned into a comfortable margin when the Suns outscored the Dragons 26-11 in the third quarter. Senior forward Fatima Adams turned in 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds in the winning effort. Tierani Richardson and Calli White each hit three 3-pointers in their Tech debut, with Richardson going for 12 points and three steals, and White adding nine points and five assists.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The Bulldogs (0-2, 0-0 GAC) suffered two close losses to quality teams to open their season at the SWOSU Classic. No team had a tougher season opener than the Bulldogs, who took on preseason No. 1 Emporia State, holding close to the Hornets in a 72-63 loss last Friday. They followed that with a 71-68 defeat at the hands of Missouri Southern Saturday. Jade Jones and Hailey Tucker each went for double figures in scoring both games. Jones dumped in 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting against MSSU after going for 11 against ESU, and totaled nine assists over the two games.

HISTORY LESSON

The Golden Suns have won six of the eight meetings with the Bulldogs since the beginning of GAC play, including a sweep of the season series a year ago. SWOSU played tough at home though, battling in a 64-62 loss after falling 97-52 earlier in the season.

NOTES

• The Golden Suns are a perfect 4-0 in GAC season openers, and 8-0 overall in league openers under Wilbers.
• Thirteen players saw time against Lane, including nine who played double-digit minutes. Seven of those 13 players were making their first appearance in an Arkansas Tech uniform.
• Southwestern also gave Emporia a battle last year, losing by just seven. It was the tightest nonconference game of the season for the Hornets until their national semifinal appearance.

COVERAGE

The game will be carried live on 102.3 FM (KCJC) in Russellville, with live video, audio and statistics available at www.arkansastechsports.com.

-FIGHTON-