RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns will look to secure their No. 7 seed for the Great American Conference tournament this week as they host Northwestern Oklahoma and No. 10 Southwestern Oklahoma in the final two games of the 2018-19 regular season. The Suns will face off against Northwestern Oklahoma on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. before playing Southwestern Oklahoma at 1 p.m.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
Live video, 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
The Suns hold a 14-1 advantage in the all-time series against Northwestern Oklahoma and have a current ten-game winning-streak against the Lady Rangers. Earlier season the Golden Suns beat NWOSU 75-54 in Alva, Okla. Tech has never lost to Northwestern at home, as the Suns are a perfect 7-0 against the Lady Rangers at Tucker Coliseum.
 
Tech leads the all-time series 15-14 against Southwestern Oklahoma, however the Lady Bulldogs have won the last three meetings. SWOSU defeated Tech 94-63 on Jan. 24 in Weatherford, Okla. Tech is 6-3 against SWOSU at Tucker Coliseum.
 

Stats	TECH	NWOSU	SWOSU
Record	12-14 (9-11 GAC)	12-15 (9-11 GAC)	25-1 (20-0 GAC)
Pts/GM	70.3	66.9	86.7
FG%	42.0	37.9	42.4
3FG%	34.4	33.4	35.2
FT%	67.2	74.6	75.0
Reb/GM	40.3	35.2	39.0
Ast/GM	13.2	11.9	16.0
Blk/GM	2.6	1.0	3.2
Stl/GM	8.9	8.6	12.6
Pts Allowed/GM	64.7	69.5	68.2
FG% Defense	37.5	42.8	40.3
3FG% Defense	31.9	34.3	30.4
Rebound Margin	+2.8	-2.3	-2.8
Ast-TO Ratio	0.9	0.8	1.3

 
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN SUNS
Arkansas Tech (12-14, 9-11 GAC) secured a spot at the GAC tournament with their 91-65 win over Oklahoma Baptist last week. Now the Suns are battling for seeding as they can enter the tournament at either the No. 7 or No. 8 seed. Currently, Tech holds the No. 7 seed and could be locked into that spot with a win over Northwestern Oklahoma on Thursday.
 
The Golden Suns find themselves ranked second in the conference in rebounding offense (40.3), rebounding margin (+2.3) and offensive rebounds per game (12.4). Tech also ranks third in field goal percentage defense (37.5%) and defensive rebounds per game (27.9).
 
Hannah Villines paces Tech with 13.5 points per game, followed by Jacie Higgins 11.5 points and Ke'Vonshaye Stackhouse with 10.3 points. Villines also leads the Golden Suns in rebounding at 6.2 per game and 2.0 steals per game, which ranks seventh in the GAC. Jayana Sanders runs the offense, ranking third in the conference in both assists (112) and assists per game (4.3).
 
Senior Lyrik Williams will be playing in her final games at Tucker Coliseum. This season Williams is averaging 8.0 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.
 
SCOUTING THE LADY RANGERS
Northwestern Oklahoma (12-15, 9-11 GAC) enters Thursday's game on a three-game winning-streak after defeating Ouachita (71-60) and Henderson State (74-54) last week. NWOSU is currently ranked eighth in the GAC standings. A win for the Lady Rangers would upset the Golden Suns chances of securing the No. 7 seed for the GAC tournament.
 
Northwestern ranks third in the league in turnover margin (+2.37) and free throw percentage (74.6%).
 
The duo of Bailey Brown and Kalea King pace the Lady Rangers as Brown ranks ninth in the GAC in scoring at 14.8 points per game, while Kings falls in right behind at tenth with 14.4 points per game. Brown also ranks fourth in the GAC in rebounding (8.1) and leads the conference in offensive rebounding (3.6). In the first meeting, Tech held Brown to 13 points and six rebounds, while also forcing NWOSU to shoot 29.5 percent from the field.
 
SCOUTING THE LADY BULLDOGS
No. 10 Southwestern Oklahoma (25-1, 20-0 GAC) enters Thursday's game on a 25-game winning-streak after defeating Henderson State (86-77) on Feb. 21 and Ouachita (101-62) on Feb. 23. SWOSU has secured the No. 1 seed for the GAC tournament.   
 
The Lady Bulldogs have the best offensive team in the conference as they are at the top of the GAC in both scoring offense (86.7) and scoring margin (+18.5). Their 86.7 points per game ranks as the third best in NCAA Division II, while their +18.5 scoring margin is ranked 12^th in the nation. SWOSU also leads the league in steals per game (12.6), assists (16.0), assist/turnover ratio (1.3) and turnover margin (+10.08).
 
Hailey Tucker, the reigning GAC Player of the Year, is Southwestern's top offensive threat, scoring 19.0 points per game, which is the third best in the GAC. Hayden Priddy scores 17.3 points per game, which ranks fourth in the conference. Priddy also ranks first in the GAC in made 3-pointers (69) and made 3-pointers per game (2.7). Tucker and Priddy combined for 56 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Lady Bulldogs 94-63 win over Tech on Jan. 24.