RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns continue play in the Great American Conference this weekend, as Tech travels to Henderson State on Thursday before hosting Southern Arkansas on Saturday. The Suns take on the Reddies in Arkadelphia at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11. Tech battles the Lady Muleriders in Russellville at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Arkansas Tech will host a "MLK Day of Remembrance" during Saturday's game. Fans are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to River Valley Food 4 Kids, and fans can receive half-off admission to the game by donating two canned-good items.
COVERAGE
Live video, statistics and audio for both games are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. The games can also be heard live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville with Sam Strasner calling the play-by-play.
ALL-TIME SERIES
In 74 all-time meetings between Arkansas Tech and Henderson State, the Reddies have won just 12 games. The Golden Suns have won eight consecutive over HSU, including two wins last season.
Arkansas Tech leads the all-time series against Southern Arkansas, 66-9. The Suns defeated SAU twice last season, by an average of 30 points.
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN SUNS
Arkansas Tech (9-1, 5-1 GAC) currently sits second in the GAC standings, one game behind No. 17 Southwestern Oklahoma. The Golden Suns have won five straight, including road victories over Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Nazarene last week.
Tech boasts the fifth-best scoring offense in Division II, averaging 85.0 points per game. The Suns have beaten their opponents by an average of 20.5 points per game this season, 14th-best scoring margin in the country. Arkansas Tech has been dominant inside, averaging 40.0 points in the paint and ranking fourth in Division II in rebounds per game (47.9). The Suns also lead the GAC and rank 10th in Division II with 13.2 steals per game.
Jayana Sanders leads the Suns with 16.4 points per game, and she is coming off consecutive 20-point performances for the first time in her Tech career. Lyrik Williams, the reigning GAC Women's Basketball Co-Player of the Week, ranks at the top of the GAC in rebounds (9.5) and double-doubles (5). Cheyenne North ranks 15th in Division II with 2.7 blocks per game, Kylie Ladd is fourth in the country with 3.7 steals per contest.
SCOUTING THE REDDIES
Henderson State (8-4, 4-2 GAC) has won its previous four games, including conference road-victories over East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma last week. The Reddies sit just one game behind Arkansas Tech in the GAC standings.
The Reddies currently rank fifth in the conference in both scoring offense (71.4) and scoring defense (65.8). Much of HSU's success comes from behind the arc, as the Reddies are third in the GAC in three-pointers made and first in the conference in opponent three-point percentage. Haleigh Henson and Hailey Estes both rank in the top 10 in the conference in three-pointers, combining for just under five per game. Jameisha Jones leads HSU with 14.9 points per contest.
SCOUTING THE LADY MULERIDERS
Southern Arkansas (2-10, 1-5 GAC) earned its first conference win of the season last Thursday over Northwestern Oklahoma, before falling to Southwestern Oklahoma on Saturday. The Lady Muleriders are scheduled to host Harding on Thursday before traveling to Russellville on Saturday.
SAU averages 63.6 points per game while allowing 70.1 points per game. The Lady Muleriders struggle on the boards, ranking 11th in the conference in rebound margin (-5.6). Kimberly Crown leads Southern Arkansas with 13.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
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