RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech women's basketball team hung tight with Southern Nazarene at home on Saturday afternoon, but an offensive outburst by SNU in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as Tech lost, 68-55.
Prior to that big fourth quarter by Southern Nazarene, the Golden Suns had just put together a great third quarter as they out-scored the Crimson Storm, 17-11. On a pair of occasions, the Golden Suns trailed by as many as nine points with the last of those coming at the 4:56 mark, but a 10-0 run over the next three and a half minutes or so of action gave Tech a one-point lead, 36-35.
The run was sparked by a three-pointer by
Olivia Jones and capped on a trifecta by
Madelyn Atkins.
Unfortunately, the Crimson Storm had an answer on the other end of the court following Atkins' trey as they pushed back on top. SNU later got a three-pointer near the end of the quarter to give them a four-point lead heading into the fourth.
The Crimson Storm were able to use the momentum from that ending of third quarter and pulled away for good throughout the fourth quarter, pushing their lead as high as 21 points before ending with a 13-point margin of victory.
The Golden Suns had three players score in double figures and were led by
Hayleigh Wyrick and her 13 points. Atkins followed with 12 points off the bench while
AbbiGrace Cunningham had 10.
Julie Wagner was close to another double-double as she had eight points and nine rebounds.
The Golden Suns will now prepare to hit the road for their next four games. First up is a Thursday night game at East Central on January 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
