RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - A stellar night from sophomore guard
Kaley Shipman who had 28 points while shooting 52% (12-for-23) from the floor was not enough for the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns as they fell 69-75 at home against Southeastern Oklahoma. Tech moves to a 5-3 overall record and sit at 2-2 against GAC opponents.
Tech opened the first quarter hot with a quick two point jumper from senior guard
Jayana Sanders and a three point bucket from Shipman to take an early 5-0 lead over Southeastern. Two quick buckets from Southeastern's Caitlyn Kobiske quickly made it just a 5-4 lead for Tech.
The next three possessions for Tech would be three straight steals started by junior guard
Ashlei Lopez that lead to a pass for an easy layup for Sanders. Following the layup from Sanders, senior guard
Tori Lasker got the second of three straight strips that lead to an easy fast break coast-to-coast layup for Lasker. The final steal was made by Sanders who scored another easy fast break bucket to put the Golden Suns on top 11-4 with 6:04 left in the first quarter.
The Golden Suns closed the first quarter with two baskets from Shipman and a final layup from junior forward
Nikki Metcalfe to end the first quarter ahead 24-15.
The Savage Storm would be the team to start the second quarter hot, quickly nailing a trio of three pointers to put themselves back in the game with Tech leading just 26-24. Another three point bucket from Southeastern's Lauren Beason tied the game at 31 all.
Jordan Benson would close out the scoring for the Savage Storm with two free throws, but Arkansas Tech would tie the game thanks to a layup from Shipman to make it 33-33 heading into the break.
Both teams started the second half strong, trading opening three point buckets first from Shipman followed by Southeastern's Benson making it a narrow 38-37 lead for Southeastern with 7:47 left in the third quarter.
Free throw shooting became the name of the game in the second half as both teams were going back and forth on the line. Southeastern broke the charity stripe spree for both sides hitting another three pointer to take a 43-39 lead with 3:05 left in the third.
Freshman forward
Julie Wagner hit a pair of free throws down the stretch for the Golden Suns to cut the Savage Storm lead to 45-43. Southeastern would hold a 48-43 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
The Golden Suns quickly gained some ground to open the fourth quarter with Sanders hitting a free throw and a good inside layup from Shipman to once again cut the Savage Storm lead to just two points trailing 46-48.
A layup from Southeastern's Briley Moon extended their lead to 52-49 with 6:53 remaining, but Shipman quickly knocked down a huge three pointer to finally tie the game for the Golden Suns at 52-52 with 6:35 left in the game.
The game once again would find itself tied at 55 all following a three pointer from Moon and a made free throw for freshman guard
Alex Hill and a fastbreak layup from Sanders.
The Golden Suns would finally take back the lead following a made free throw from Lopez and a layup from Wagner to lead the Savage Storm 60-57 with 4:31 left.
With 1:53 left, the Golden Suns fouled Southeastern's Haiden Williams behind the three point line giving them three free shots from the line, which they successfully converted to take a 66-62 lead down the stretch in the final minute.
The Golden Suns tried to make a comeback with a three point basket from Sanders and a layup from Shipman but it would not be enough as Southeastern would escape with a 75-69 win.
Shipman lead the Golden Suns in scoring with 28 points while also adding seven rebounds, three assists and a block. Following Shipman was Sanders with 20 points, 5 boards, four assists and two steals. While Lopez only ended with two points, she was a major help on defense for the Golden Suns coming up with five crucial steals in the contest.
The Golden Suns will look to bounce back in their next game on Saturday against East Central in Tucker Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
