RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Back at home for a makeup game against Harding, the Arkansas Tech Women's Basketball team takes care of business with a 70-58 win in Tucker Coliseum. The Golden Suns move to 11-8 overall with an 8-7 record against conference opponents.

Leading the way for the Golden Suns in her first game back from COVID protocols was Ashlei Lopez with a team high 18 points. Lopez shot 66.7% (6-of-9) from the floor with three rebounds and a block. Freshman Alex Hill was the next contributor for Tech with 16 points, seven boards and a block. Following Hill was Jayana Sanders with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Closing out the leading scorers for the Golden Suns was Kaley Shipman with 13 points and five rebounds.

In the first quarter of action the Golden Suns controlled the pace of the game shooting 50% (9-of-18) from the floor and played locked down defense on the Bisons holding them to just an 18.75% (3-of-16) shooting mark in the first. Tech outscored Harding 19-10 in the first quarter. In the second quarter of play Arkansas Tech once again had a solid shooting period going 4-of-9 from the floor in the quarter. The Golden Suns also continued to play lock down defense on Harding allowing only 26.68% (4-of-15) of their shots from field goal range to fall. Both sides traded a pair of free throws to end the half as Arkansas Tech led 31-22.

The Golden Suns had a tough time getting shots to fall in the third quarter going just 6-of-15 from the floor, but what they couldn't get on offense they got on defense as they once again held the Bisons to a low field goal percentage at 38.89% (7-of-18). Despite being outscored 20-15 in the third quarter, the Golden Suns still wrapped up the quarter with a 46-42 lead as they headed into the final period of play.

Arkansas Tech returned to their solid shooting numbers akin to the first half sinking 63.64% (7-of-11) of their shots from the floor and also got a couple of long range bombs to fall going 2-2 in the final quarter of play. The Golden Suns also made the most of their opportunities from the charity stripe shooting 88.89% (8-of-9) on freebies in the fourth quarter. 

Just as they had done across the first three quarters of action, the Golden Suns played good defense making it difficult for Harding to find good shots forcing them to shoot 27.78% (5-of-18) from field goal range. Tech also made it difficult for the Bisons to knock down shots from long range in the fourth holding them to just a 28.57% (2-of-7) mark on their three point attempts. Hardings missed shots would cost the game for them as the Golden Suns walked off the court in Tucker Coliseum with a 70-58 win.

The Golden Suns will be back in action at home on Thursday, February 10 as they take on the Oklahoma Baptist Bison. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Tucker Coliseum Thursday evening.