RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech women's basketball team put together a tremendous all-around effort on Saturday against Oklahoma Baptist as the Golden Suns got themselves back in the win column in dominant fashion, 87-54.
Against the visiting Bison, the Golden Suns enjoyed their best and most-efficient game offensively this season as they shot 61% overall from the floor (27-of-44). In the first quarter alone, the Golden Suns barely missed as they were good on nine of their 11 shot attempts for an 81% success rate. That blazing hot early start helped the Golden Suns take firm control of the game essentially from the outset.
Leading by eight through the first quarter of play, the Golden Suns put their foot on the gas, moved in the left lane and went full-tilt boogie on the Bisons the rest of the game. In the second quarter, the field goal percentage for the Golden Suns naturally went down but their defense ratcheted up as they out-scored Oklahoma Baptist 21-7 to take a 44-22 lead into half time.
The Golden Suns would go on to do much of the same in the second half, out-scoring the Bison in each quarter before coasting to a 33-point win.
A total of four Golden Suns scored in double figures in the game with
Maisa Marcal leading the way with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting overall. She added seven rebounds and six assists.
Julie Wagner was next in scoring as she poured in a career-high 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Her previous single-game high was 14 points against Arkansas-Fort Smith earlier this year.
Hayleigh Wyrick added 13 points off the bench while
Dana Thompson rounded out double-figure scoring with 11 points.
The Golden Suns will now turn their attention to the road where they have a four-game road swing ahead of them, starting first with a Thursday night game at nationally-ranked Harding on February 15. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
