RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The expectation of reaching the NCAA tournament has been hanging over the Arkansas Tech women's basketball team for much of this season. From winning their first eight games and 14 of their first 15, to the battle for the Great American Conference title down the stretch, the Golden Suns have had the goal of reaching national postseason play for the 24th time in their storied program's history in mind.

The Golden Suns (23-6) realized that goal, and will head to Hays, Kansas this weekend for their second NCAA Central Regional in three seasons. There, seven seed Tech will take on the second seed, No. 9/11 Emporia State in Friday's 2:30 p.m. quarterfinal.

Tech, which won four of its last five to lift itself into at-large consideration for the tournament field, brings with it a pedigree of success in postseason play. The Golden Suns are 111-40 all-time in the postseason, including a 45-19 mark in the NCAA playoffs. They reached the NAIA final four six times, including back-to-back national titles in 1991-92 and 1992-93, and have reached the NCAA postseason 12 times in 18 chances, collaring four total Elite Eight appearances and a national runner-up trophy in 1998-99.

The Golden Suns of the season feature one of the top offensive teams in the country, ranked 31st in the nation averaging 74.9 points per game, as well as 31st in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by an average of 11.3 points. Converting on 45.6 percent of their shots from the field puts them at 12th in the country, and a rebounding margin of 7.6 more boards than opponents is the 16th-best number among Division II.

Much of that production comes from junior Fatima Adams, who enters NCAA play with the sixth-best scoring average in the nation, putting up 21.5 points per game. Her field goal percentage of 54.2 puts her 20th, while she's 55th in rebounding at 9.5 per game. Also dropping in the national rankings are Katrina Hayden, whose 4.2 assists per game puts her 60th, and Anissa Pounds, who hits 3-pointers at a 36.2-percent clip, good enough for 75th.

Plenty of other step up as well on a team that sees eight players appear in at least 28 of the team's 29 games and collect at least 13.4 minutes per game. Jacinda Myers-Sanders, the team's lone senior, posts 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game — shooting 65.3 percent from the floor — and put up a huge 18-point, 11-rebound double-double in the GAC quarterfinal win over Henderson State. Danielle Frachiseur averages 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds for the season, and averaged 6.3 boards in last weekend's GAC Championship.

The Hornets (25-4), fresh off their third straight Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament title, counter with some impressive production of their own. The 2009-10 national champions are making their 17th NCAA appearance in the last 19 seasons, with five of those trips ending in Elite Eight berths. They have a record of 32-15 in postseason play, and will be facing Arkansas Tech — postseason or otherwise — for the first time in program history.

ESU is in the top 10 nationally in five statistical categories, including leading the way in both blocked shots per game (8.0) and field goal percentage defense (33.0). The Hornets have the third-best scoring defense, allowing just 54.6 points to opponents, and are seventh in rebounding margin (10.1) and scoring margin (17.5). Individually, they're led by Kelly Moten's 14.9 points per game, while Merissa Quick adds 11.5 points and 6.7 rebounds, and also blocks 3.55 shots per game, the fourth-best number in the country. Addie Lackey, who is at an even 10.0 points per game, is the only other Hornet to average double figures, while four others put up at least 4.8 points per outing.

Amber Vandiver is tops in that category with 7.5 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game.

The rest of the region features no easy outs, with the top four seeds all ranked in the top 19 nationally, and the other four teams receiving votes in the coaches poll. Top seed and host Fort Hays State is ranked No. 6, and will face Minnesota State in Friday's opening round. That winner will face the winner of the 4/5 matchup, No. 19 Wayne State and Harding. The winner between the Golden Suns and Hornets will face off against either No. 16 Pittsburg State or the six seed Northern State. Those semifinals will be Saturday evening, with the region championship taking place Monday night.

All Arkansas Tech games will be broadcast live on 100.9 (KWKK) in Russellville, with live video, audio and statistics available at www.arkansastechsports.com. For more information on the tournament, visit www.fhsuathletics.com.