MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Following their loss at home on Monday against Henderson State, the Arkansas Tech women's basketball team bounces back with an 89-87 win on the road against Southern Arkansas in Magnolia. Following their win over the Muleriders, the Golden Suns move to 5-3 overall and are now 3-1 in Great American Conference play.
The game against the Muleriders was a high octane offensive battle between both sides. The 89 points scored by the Golden Suns was the highest scoring game this season against a GAC opponent and the second highest scoring game overall on the year thus far. This was the second time this season that Tech has scored at least 80 points in a GAC contest, while three of the four total GAC games played thus far has seen Tech score at least 75 total points. While the three-ball wasn't falling as well, the two-point shots fell at a rate of 47.4% overall for the game. The third quarter saw the Golden Suns shoot 69.2% (9-of-13) on all their shots from the field.
Most notably for the Golden Suns in the game was their free-throw percentage. Tech made the most of their opportunities at the line against Southern Arkansas shooting a season-high 88.9% (14-of-16) from the charity stripe. They were a perfect 4-4 from the line in the first half.
The Golden Suns dominated the Muleriders inside as they put up 46 total points inside the paint. They also made the most of their second chance opportunities with 22 total points in that category. Defensively, the Golden Suns locked down the interior and mid-range shots for the Muleriders holding them to just a 38.3% team field goal percentage for the game and only allowing 16 points inside the paint.
Leading the way once again for the Golden Suns was
Jalei Oglesby who put up a season-high 27 points on the road against the Muleriders. The 27 points scored by Oglesby marks her second GAC game this season where she has scored at least 25 points, with the first being her 26 point game in an overtime win on the road at Ouachita Baptist. Oglesby shot exceptionally well from the field knocking down 55.0% (11-of-20) of her shots. The Howe, Okla. native was also a perfect 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. She also added six rebounds, three assists and a block against Southern Arkansas.
Following behind Oglesby was
Dana Thompson with a season-high 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Thompson also hauled in 7 rebounds, four of which where offensive.
Alex Hill had a solid afternoon putting up 15 total points, while collecting a team-high eight rebounds. Hill also dished out four assists in the game. Rounding out the leading scorers for the Golden Suns was
Kaley Shipman with 12 points. Shipman also contributed three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Golden Suns will now enter a break period for the holidays. Their next matchup will be on Thursday, January 5 as they travel across state lines to Durant, Okla. for a showdown with Southeastern. The road game against the Savage Storm is set for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
