SHAWNEE, Okla. – An overall defensive battle took place between the Arkansas Tech and Oklahoma Baptist women's basketball teams on Thursday night in Shawnee. Neither team shot over 30% overall from the floor in the game, but a productive third quarter by Oklahoma Baptist was enough for the Bison to upend Tech and come away with the win, 52-48.
The struggles offensively that transpired for both teams started from the outset as the two combined for just 14 points on 6-of-33 (.182) shooting overall in the first quarter. By the end of that low-scoring period, Oklahoma Baptist held a slight lead, 8-6.
In the second quarter, the Golden Suns began to find some footing offensively while the Bison continued to struggle. Tech improved their field goal percentage by shooting 38% (5-of-13) in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Oklahoma Baptist was limited to just 12% shooting (2-of-17) in the same period. That disparity allowed the Golden Suns to take the lead and carry a five-point lead into the locker room, 19-14.
Early in the third quarter, the Golden Suns were able to push their lead out as large as seven points on a layup by
Maisa Marcal on the quarter's opening possession. Oklahoma Baptist, however, more than found their footing on the offensive end in the third quarter and responded with a 14-2 run over the next four minutes or so of action to flip the lead in their favor by five points with 5:54 to play in the period.
The Golden Suns were able to tie the score in the third quarter by the 3:46 mark thanks to a three-pointer by Marcal about a minute earlier and a layup by
Dana Thompson. About a minute later, however, the Bison were able to regain the lead and stayed out in front the rest of the quarter, ending the period with a six-point lead, 35-29.
A quick three-pointer by Oklahoma Baptist to open the fourth quarter pushed their lead to nine and by the 7:42 mark, another three-ball made it a 10-point lead.
The Golden Suns would mount a comeback effort over the next four and a half minutes and pulled as close as a point, 46-45, with 3:10 left on the clock. Oklahoma Baptist was able to stave off any further advance by the Golden Suns and held on for the four-point win.
Despite the overall difficult offensive conditions, the Golden Suns did have three players score in double figures with a fourth scoring nine. Marcal led the charge with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting while Thompson had 11. Thompson also hauled in a team-high 11 rebounds to collect her third double-double in the last four games.
Hayleigh Wyrick rounded out double-figure scoring with 10 points off the bench.
The Golden Suns will now look to bounce back on Saturday, but face a stiff test on the road against unbeaten and top 10-ranked Southern Nazarene. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Sawyer Center in Bethany.
