SHAWNEE, Okla. – Anissa Pounds scored a team-high 17 points, leading a cast of five Arkansas Tech Golden Suns players to reach double figures as the No. 16 Golden Suns (16-2, 14-0 Great American Conference) shot their way past the Oklahoma Baptist Bison (9-11, 7-7 GAC) on Thursday night at the Mabee Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED- Tech opened the contest on a tear – shooting 75 percent from the floor (12-of-16) in the opening quarter to take a 31-15 lead.
- Tech led by as many as 19 points (28-9) in the opening quarter.
- The Golden Suns stretched their lead out to 20 points (43-23) with 4:46 to play in the second quarter before OBU cut the margin to 14 (46-32) at the half.
- OBU pulled to within 12 (52-40) with 6:19 to play in the third quarter, but a 10-0 run pushed Tech's lead above 20 points with 2:30 to play.
- Anna Lea Little scored 13 of her 15 points in the final 4:29 of the third quarter, as the Golden Suns took a 28-point (75-47) lead into the fourth quarter.
- Tech hit the century mark with a 3-pointer by Tierani Richardson with 1:14 to play.
- Tech's largest lead (33) points came in the final seconds of the game, with a last-second 3-pointer by OBU bringing the Bison to within 30.
NOTABLES- Tech outshot Oklahoma Baptist 51.5 to 27 percent in the opening half.
- Both Pounds (12 points) and Kelsey McClure (10 points) reached double figure point totals in the first half.
- Tech held a 25-7 advantage in bench points in the opening half.
- Fatima Adams fouled out of the game with 14 points – leaving her with 998 career points entering Saturday's game at Southern Nazarene.
- The game marks the second time this season Tech went over the century mark (The Golden Suns scored 105 in a win over Northwestern Okla. on Nov. 5). The school record for most times over 100 points in one season is three – last hit in 2013-14.
- The 106 points is the Golden Suns' highest point total since Tech scored 107 against Ecclesia College (Nov. 18, 2013).
- Tech held a 62-21 advantage in bench points, a 12-10 advantage in points in the paint, a 12-9 advantage in points off turnovers, and a 14-10 advantage in second-chance points.
- Joining Pounds in double figures were McClure (16 points), Little (15 points), Richardson (15 points), and Adams (14 points)
- Tech shot an incredible 65.2 percent (15-of-23) from long-range – Tech's 15 3-pointers tied a school record originally set on Nov. 24, 2007 against Texas A&M-International.
- The win was the 950th win in program history.
COACH WILBERS SAYS- On the play of Anna Lea Little – "Credit Anna Lea. She comes in the gym about six o'clock every morning, working on her game, shooting the basketball… and it paid off for her. I'm so, so proud of her and so happy for her. She's a worker and she always is ready. She came in and gave us a big spark, because it was one of the roughest games we've had in the last few years. A lot of fouls, elbows being thrown, technicals… it was one of those nights."
- On the team's success from 3-point range – "We had practiced on it, and Anissa really got them out of their defense. They extended their zone and I think we did a good job of moving the basketball, getting the open shot, and finding the interior. We have a lot of weapons. One key against their defense was Kelsey – she drove through the zone. We did a good job of attacking."
- On the improvement of the bench – "We're very deep, but we have to stay healthy. These girls are really working hard. We're putting in some tough practices and then getting ready… they're here and they know they're on a good team, and whether they're coming off the bench or starting, they're doing a good job."
WHO'S NEXT- Tech concludes its final Oklahoma swing of the 2015-16 season on Saturday, Feb. 6, facing Southern Nazarene in Bethany. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
-FIGHTON-
