RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns open GAC play for the 2021-22 season with a 90-84 win over Ouachita Baptist in Tucker. The Golden Suns move to 4-1 overall on the season and start conference play with a 1-0 record. Tech lead the game in free throw percentage making 36 of their 39 attempts from the line to earn a solid 92.3%. The Golden Suns also lead the game in the paint with 34 points and made the most of their second shot opportunities leading the game in second chance points with 16.

Ouachita started off the game hot with a quick three point basket by senior guard Jessi Bennett and a layup by freshman guard Aspen Thorton to go up 5-0. A layup from senior forward Sydnee win and a quick two point jumper by sophomore guard Kaylee Shipman put the Golden Suns on the board. A layup from senior guard Jayana Sanders cut the Tiger lead to two as the score sat at 12-10 with 4:42 left in the first. A layup from Wynn would give Tech a 22-20 lead with 1:26 left in the first quarter. Ouachita close the opening quarter strong though leading 23-22.

The second quarter started hot for the Golden Suns as junior guard Ashlei Lopez opened with a three point basket to give Tech the lead once again. Good interior play from Shipman and junior forward Nikki Metcalfe continued the dominant offensive play leading Ouachita 32-23. The Golden Suns continued to make the most of their shots at the line and ended the first half strong taking a 45-36 lead into the break.

Shipman opened the scoring in the second half for the Golden Suns with a quick two point jumper to put a double digit lead over Ouachita. Another layup and a jumpshot from Shipman gave tech a 53-45 lead over the Tigers. A three point basket from Lopez with 2:17 left in the third put Tech back to a double digit lead at 58-46. The Golden Suns closed the quarter on a 6-3 run to hold a 64-49 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

Ouachita would try to attempt a comeback in the fourth quarter, but Tech would pull out the win with their impressive makes at the line as the final quarter was filled with free shots at the line. Despite Ouachita freshman guard Aspen Thorton's 43 points, the Golden Suns pulled out the 90-84 win.

Leading the way for the Golden Suns was Shipman with 27 points shooting 9-16 from the floor and a solid 9-10 at the line. Shipman also had three rebounds in two assists for Tech in the game. Following shipman was Lopez with 20 points. Lopez hauled in five boards, a steal and a block to add to her performance. Closing out the leading scorers for Tech was Sanders and Wynn both with 10 points against Ouachita. Wynn had a double-double with her 10 points and 12 rebounds. Sanders pulled down six rebounds and had two assists.

The Golden Suns return to action on Saturday as they travel to Monticello, Ark. to face Arkansas-Monticello in a Saturday afternoon clash. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.