CLEVELAND, Miss. — Fatima Adams turned in an 18-point performance, while Calli White added 15 more, but the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team (4-1) was unable to overcome the a stifling defense by Delta State as the Lady Statesmen (3-0) took a 72-57 win over Arkansas Tech on Sunday at Walter Sillers Coliseum.

COMING UP NEXT

• The Golden Suns return to Great American Conference play on Thursday, Dec. 3, hosting Oklahoma Baptist at Tucker Coliseum. A 5:30 p.m. tip is scheduled.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Golden Suns led 11-9 before Delta State used a 7-0 run late in the first quarter to take a 16-11 advantage with 1:35 to play in the quarter.
• Tech committed seven turnovers in the opening quarter, resulting in seven points off turnovers for Delta State.
• The Tech deficit was narrowed to one point (18-17) less than a minute into the second quarter, but Delta State would use a 6-0 run late in the second quarter to open a double-digit lead (33-23) with 3:43 to play in the opening half.
• Delta State's run came during a 3:16 scoring drought for the Golden Suns.
• The Lady Statesmen took a 37-28 lead into the half as Aujana Dawkins' bucket at the buzzer cut the Tech deficit to single digits.  
• Tech narrowed the gap to six points (39-33) two minutes into the third quarter, but Delta State quickly rallied to push the lead into double figures three minutes later.
• Delta State's 13-point (55-42) lead at the end of the third quarter was its largest lead of the contest at that point. They would lead by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.

NOTABLES

• Adams' 18 points was a game high. She also led Tech with seven rebounds.
• Delta State held a 22-15 rebounding advantage in the first half and a 42-27 advantage for the game.
• The Golden Suns' 57 points is a season low for Arkansas Tech.  

COACH WILBERS SAYS

• On his team's performance – "Well, I think really the biggest factor was rebounding. They're one of the best rebounding teams in the country and we didn't rebound with them on either end. For us to beat a team on the road like this, we have to hustle and have to have more than two or three players going after rebounds. Give them credit, they got some rebounds and had some players hit some shots."
• On Delta State's defense – "Our guards have to get better against pressure. They were so compact in the lane, and there comes a time where someone has to hit an open shot. They were letting us shoot shots and we were struggling from the perimeter. If they get up eight or nine points against you, that's a big lead with their style."