RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. —
Fatima Adams scored a game-high 28 points,
Anissa Pounds added 11 points, and
Kelsey McClure scored 11 points off the bench to lead the No. 21 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team (15-2, 13-0 Great American Conference) to a 90-48 win over Northwestern Oklahoma (1-17, 0-13 GAC) on Saturday afternoon at Tucker Coliseum.
HOW IT HAPPENED- Tech opened the game on a 15-5 run to claim a double-digit lead with 4:50 to go in the opening quarter.
- Tech led by as many as 16 (23-7) in an opening quarter that saw the Golden Suns outscore NWOSU 24-9.
- After NWOSU cut the Tech lead to 12 (26-14) in the opning minute of the quarter, the Golden Suns quickly jumped ahead by over 20 and led by as many as 21 (40-19) with 2:50 remaining in the quarter before going into the half up 18 (43-25).
- Tech continued its momentum through the third quarter, pushing its lead to as many as 30 (64-34) with 1:48 to play.
- The Golden Suns' margin of victory (42 points) was its largest lead of the contest.
NOTABLES- The Golden Suns never trailed in the contest.
- Tech outshot NWOSU 57.4 to 34.1 percent and held a 36-26 advantage in rebounding.
- The Golden Suns forced 22 NWOSU turnovers.
- Tech held a 50-12 advantage in points in the paint, a 32-18 advantage in points off turnovers, a 14-5 advantage in second-chance points, a 6-0 advantage in fast-break points, and a 35-25 advantage in bench points.
COACH WILBERS SAYS- On the defensive gameplan - "I thought it was really good individual defense. Aujana played excellent defense, and then throw in Danielle and Caroline – Caroline did a great job of defending (Kamera Bozeman). She's a really good player, but give the team credit. We had a lot of backside help and we were moving and closing out their shooters. Credit coach (Roman) Tubner – he had a great gameplan and did a good job with that."
- On getting bench playing time – "Our bench is such a big factor for our team because they're good. I was a bit upset with them at half because I didn't think they played well in the first half, but in the second half they did a great job. Our team is getting better and better before our eyes and I hope it continues."
WHO'S NEXT- The Golden Suns will return to action on Thursday, Feb. 4, heading west for a conference tilt with Oklahoma Baptist. A 5:30 p.m. tip is scheduled.
-FIGHTON-