Arkansas Tech University Athletics

GOLDEN SUNS PLAY FINAL HOME GAMES OF THE SEASON

02.18.20

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.- Arkansas Tech University will look to clinch a berth in the 2020 Great American Conference Tournament when it plays its final home women's basketball games of the season this week. ATU Golden Suns (14-8, 11-7 GAC) vs. Oklahoma Baptist Bison (5-19, 1-17 GAC)
 
 
FOLLOW IT LIVE
 
Following a contest against Oklahoma Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 20, the Golden Suns will face Southern Nazarene University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22.
Live video, audio and statistics are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. The game will be carried live at KCJC 102.3 FM in Russellville, with Sam Strasner calling the play-by-play.
 
Series: ATU leads 9-3
 
After its final homestand of the year, Arkansas Tech will visit Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Thursday, Feb. 27) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Saturday, Feb. 29) for the final games of the 2019-20 regular season.
 
 
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech will attempt to stop a three-game losing streak and clinch a berth in the women's GAC Tournament on Thursday night. The Golden Suns can secure their 14th consecutive postseason appearance with a win or a Northwestern Oklahoma State University loss to Ouachita Baptist University. ATU's last three opponents were a combined 34-of-64 (53 percent) from 3-point range. The other trend during the Golden Suns' last three games has been rebounding. After ranking top 15 in NCAA Division II in rebound margin (+9.9 per game) through Feb. 6, Arkansas Tech has been out-rebounded by an average margin of 7.7 per game in losses to Southern Arkansas University, Harding University and the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Freshman guard Kaley Shipman (12.6 points per game), junior guards Jayana Sanders (11.1 points per game) and Ke'Vonshaye Stackhouse (11 points per game) and freshman forward Sarah Heard (10.4 points per game) are the Golden Suns' leading scorers. ATU defeated Oklahoma Baptist 91-64 at Shawnee on Jan. 11.
 
About the Bison: Oklahoma Baptist has lost five consecutive games by an average margin of 23.6 points. The Bison will miss the GAC Tournament for a second consecutive season and for the third time in the last four years. OBU ranks last in the GAC and 287th in the nation in scoring defense (77.5 points allowed per game). Senior guard Mckenzie Cooper ranks among the GAC leaders in scoring (9th, 13.8 points per game), 3-point field goal percentage (4th, .422) and 3-point field goals made (T-10th, 1.9 per game). A sixth-year senior, Cooper scored a career-high 37 points against Arkansas Tech on Jan. 4, 2018.