RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns return to Tucker Coliseum for a three-game home stand and will host East Central and Southeastern Oklahoma State this weekend. Tech will play East Central at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, and host Southeastern Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live audio and statistics are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. The games will be carried live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville, with Sam Strasner calling the play-by-play.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Tech leads the all-time series 13-7 against East Central, and have won three of the last four meetings. However, earlier this season the Lady Tigers defeated Tech 61-59 in Ada, Okla. The Suns are 8-1 against ECU at home.
The Suns hold an 11-6 advantage in the all-time series against Southeastern Oklahoma and have won five of the last six meetings. The Savage Storm took the contest earlier this season as SOSU defeated Tech 80-59 in Durant, Okla. The Golden Suns have never lost to Southeastern at home as they are a perfect 8-0 against Savage Storm in Tucker Coliseum.
| Stats |
TECH |
ECU |
SOSU |
| Record |
7-11 (4-8 GAC) |
14-4 (9-3 GAC) |
10-6 (8-4 GAC) |
| Pts/GM |
68.9 |
68.7 |
78.2 |
| FG% |
39.5 |
40.6 |
44.1 |
| 3FG% |
31.0 |
35.4 |
39.0 |
| FT% |
66.2 |
77.0 |
73.4 |
| Reb/GM |
42.6 |
37.1 |
37.6 |
| Ast/GM |
12.2 |
11.7 |
17.2 |
| Blk/GM |
2.9 |
2.9 |
1.7 |
| Stl/GM |
9.2 |
8.7 |
8.3 |
| Pts Allowed/GM |
64.6 |
59.4 |
64.8 |
| FG% Defense |
36.8 |
36.0 |
37.5 |
| 3FG% Defense |
32.8 |
30.7 |
29.0 |
| Rebound Margin |
+3.0 |
+2.1 |
-2.0 |
| Ast-TO Ratio |
0.8 |
0.8 |
1.3 |
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN SUNS
Arkansas Tech (7-11, 4-8 GAC) split its GAC games last week, as the Suns loss 94-63 to No. 15 Southwestern Oklahoma, before winning a 75-54 contest over Northwestern Oklahoma. The Golden Suns are currently tied for eighth in the GAC standings.
The Golden Suns rank second in the conference in rebounding offense (42.6), rebounding margin (+3.5) and offensive rebounds per game (13.8). Tech is ranked third in the GAC in defensive rebounds per game (28.7) and field goal percentage defense (.367). Tech is also ranked as the 35
th-best rebounding team in the nation.
Hannah Villines paces Tech with 12.2 points per game, followed by
Jacie Higgins with 10.9 points and
Ke'Vonshaye Stackhouse with 10.1 points. Tech is the only school in the conference to have four player ranked inside the top-20 in rebounding, led by
Lyrik Williams at 6.3 boards per game, which is the 15
th-best in the GAC. Villines is also ranked fourth in the league with 2.2 steals per game, while Higgins is ranked sixth in the GAC and 48
th in NCAA Division II in free throw percentage (84.8%).
SCOUTING THE LADY TIGERS
East Central (14-4, 9-3 GAC) enters Thursday's game after winning both of its GAC matchups last week. ECU defeated Henderson State 75-67 on Jan. 24 and rolled past Ouachita with a 78-55 win on Jan. 26. The Lady Tigers are currently ranked second the conference standings.
The Lady Tigers have the stingiest defense in the conference as they only allow 59.4 points per game, which leads the GAC. ECU leads the GAC and ranks 12
th in NCAA Division II in free throw percentage (77.7%). East Central is also ranked second in the league in field goal percentage defense (36.0%) and turnover margin (+3.67).
Lakin Preisner and Tia Williams lead the ECU offense as Preisner scores 13.7 points per game while Williams adds 11.6 points per game. Preisner also leads the GAC in free throw percentage (93.1%), ranks third in rebounding (8.3) and sixth in 3-point field goal percentage (41.3%). Williams leads the team in made 3-pointers (35), while shooting 38.5 percent from behind the arc.
SCOUTING THE SAVAGE STORM
Southeastern Oklahoma (10-6, 8-4 GAC) has won five of its last seven games and won its one conference matchup last weekend, defeating Ouachita 69-63 on Jan. 24 in Durant, Okla. The Savage Storm are currently ranked fourth in the GAC standings.
The Savage Storm lead the GAC in field goal percentage (44.1%), 3-point field goal percentage (39.0%), assists per game (17.2) and assists/turnover ratio (1.3). SOSU is also ranked second in the conference in scoring offense (78.2), scoring margin (+13.4), free throw percentage (73.4%), defensive rebounds per game (30.0) and made 3-pointers per game (10.3).
Katie Webb, the leading scorer in the GAC, paces the Savage Storm offense at 20.9 points per game. Webb also ranks fourth in the conference in rebounding (7.9), fifth in field goal percentage (54.6%) and is eighth in assists per game (3.1). Kamryn Cantwell and Briley Moon are also averaging double-figures as Cantwell scores 13.5 points per game and Moon adds 11.4 points per game.
-FIGHTON-
