RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech women's basketball team weathered a hot-shooting first quarter by Henderson State and turned in an overall dominant performance inside the paint en route to an impressive 89-80 win on Saturday afternoon inside Tucker Coliseum.
 
In that first quarter, Henderson scored 25 points and shot 50% overall from the floor, going 9-of-18. Five of those made field goals were three-pointers for the Reddies (1-1, 1-1 GAC). On the other end of the court, the Golden Suns (3-0, 2-0 GAC) struggled some offensively shooting 32% overall (6-of-19). The disparity in those field goal percentages in the first quarter resulted in a 25-16 Henderson lead.
 
Things began to shift in the second quarter, however, thanks to a combination of dominance in the paint offensively and defensively for the Golden Suns.
 
In the second quarter, the Golden Suns shot 53% overall from the floor (9-of-17). Only one of the made field goals that period was from three-point range as the Golden Suns only attempted two shots beyond the arc.
 
On the other end of the court, the Reddies continued to knock down shots from long range as they made 4-of-6 in the second quarter. It was their ineffectiveness inside as a result of solid Tech defense that kept the game close as it was three-point margin at the break.
 
Of Henderson's shots inside the three-point line, the Reddies were just 3-of-12 (.250) from the floor in the second quarter.
 
In the third quarter, Henderson went ice cold from three-point range going 0-of-7. As the Reddies cooled off, the Golden Suns continued to be efficient inside. The Golden Suns would shoot 53% again in the third quarter, this time making 11-of-21 shots overall and once more were 1-of-2 from distance.
 
Starting the fourth quarter with a five-point lead, the Golden Suns took complete control of the game in the first four minutes, going on an 8-0 run and grabbing their largest lead of the game, 13 points, with 6:03 left on the clock.
 
Several times down the stretch the Reddies were able to pull their deficit within single digits and came as close as seven points, 84-77, at the 2:21 mark. On the next trip down the court, however, the Golden Suns went back up double digits thanks to a three-pointer by Kaley Shipman.
 
A late three-pointer by Henderson brought the score to its final margin of nine points, 89-80.
 
As a team, the Golden Suns shot 47% overall (33-of-71) and were an efficient 3-of-6 from three-point range. Additionally, the Golden Suns were really good from the free throw line, going 20-of-24.
 
In specialty stats, the Golden Suns had 56 points in the paint, 14 off turnovers, 15 second-chance, 19 on the fast break and 32 from their bench.
 
Individually, six Golden Suns scored in double figures with Shipman's 23 points leading the way. Shipman was 7-of-13 from the floor, 1-of-2 from three and a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. She also added seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
 
Behind Shipman in scoring was Nikki Metcalfe as she scored 17 points off the bench. Metcalfe was 7-of-14 overall from the floor and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Metcalfe added eight rebounds, three blocks, an assist and a steal.
 
Jalei Oglesby also came off the bench and scored 12 points. Hannah Villines had 11 points and Ashlei Lopez and Jayana Sanderss rounded out double-digit scoring with 10 points each.
 
The Golden Suns will now prepare for another game in just two days as they are set to take on Harding for the GAC's Rivalry Monday. Tip-off for the game between the Golden Suns and Lady Bisons is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Tucker Coliseum. Due to GAC Return To Play Protocols, fan attendance is not allowed.