RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – A record-tying performance from junior
Nikki Metcalfe propelled the Golden Suns into victory over the Lady Bisons of Harding, 67-56. Metcalfe's 11 blocks ties the record for blocks in a single game with Cindi Patton's 30 year old record from 1989.
The Golden Suns jumped out to an early lead and never weathered. Arkansas Tech score the first ten points of the game from four different players. The offense continued to push the pace with the Golden Suns going up 11 (16-5) after a three-pointer from
Kaley Shipman. Harding's trips to the free throw line got them within five, 16-11 going into the second quarter. Arkansas Tech shot a blistering 80 percent from behind the arc in the opening 10 minutes.
Starting the second quarter, a jumpers from
Hannah Villines and Metcalfe put the Golden Suns up nine with 9:22 left in the quarter. Harding pulled within four, 23-19 but Arkansas Tech remained poised and answered back with an 8-4 run going up 31-24 with 4:04 left in the half. Free throws from Jaeli Oglesby secured a 35-29 lead for the Golden Suns entering halftime.
The third quarter mirrored the two before, with Harding pulling within four, 35-21 with 8:52 left in the quarter. The Golden Suns kept them at bay, going up nine. 42-33 with 4:51 left. A jumper from
Trelynn Tyler kept the nine point lead, 46-37 before a quick jumper from Harding brought them within seven, 46-39 going into the final period.
Arkansas Tech and Harding traded points to start the fourth before a three-pointer and two jumpers from
Ashlei Lopez gave the Golden Suns an 11 point lead, 64-53 with 3:36 left in the game. A lay-up from
Jayana Sanders gave Arkansas Tech its final points before a free throw from Harding gave them their final points and the horn rang, Arkansas Tech winning 67-56.
Both Shipman and Lopez scored 13 points for the Golden Suns and Sanders rounded out double-figure scoring with 10. Arkansas Tech shot over 40 percent for the eighth consecutive game this season, going 26-for-58 from the field.
The Golden Suns head down to Arkadelphia on Thursday, Feb. 11 to face Ouachita Baptist at 5:30 p.m.
