Arkansas Tech Golden Suns Fall at Central Missouri

Courtesy Arkansas Tech University Athletics Department

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Despite career-highs in points by Caroline Eubanks (25) and Cara Neighbors (11), and a 17-point, nine-rebound effort by Jessica Weatherford, the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (5-4) were unable to overcome the long-range shooting of the Central Missouri Jennies (9-1), falling 76-71 on Sunday at the UCM Multipurpose Building.

“I thought we played a really good game,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Dave Wilbers. “We had two or three possessions at the end where we didn’t guard and we didn’t get a good shot, and then turned the ball over, and that was enough to get us beat. This is a tough place to play, and UCM is a very good team. We have to get better and eliminate those types of plays. I liked our effort.”

After the two teams traded baskets over the first three minutes of the contest, Central Missouri used a 9-2 run to take a five-point (9-4) lead just over four minutes into the game. The Jennies lead grew to as many as seven (15-8) before the Golden Suns used a 6-0 run to narrow the UCM lead to one (15-14) after a free throw by Weatherford.

Central Missouri again pulled ahead by six (22-16) with 6:48 to play in the half, but the Golden Suns cut their deficit to one (22-21) after a Rosie Silva jumper with just under five minutes to play in the half. UCM held the Golden Suns at arm’s length down the stretch, leading by as many as five before going into the intermission with a three-point (33-30) lead.

The Golden Suns scored the first four points of the second half to take their first lead since the 17:46 mark of the first half, but again Central Missouri would grow its lead to six (42-36) just over four minutes into the second half. As Tech narrowed the gap, Silva hit a pair of free throws; the first one tied the game at 50-50 and the second gave Tech a 51-50 lead. On the next possession, Silva grew Tech’s lead to three (53-50) after a jumper, and the Golden Suns would lead by as many as four (59-55) with 7:38 to play.

With just over four minutes to play, UCM’s Nicole Caddell hit a pair of free throws that gave UCM the lead for good, as the Jennies opened their lead to as many as five, and held on for the five-point victory.

The game saw 13 lead changes and eight ties, with ten of those lead changes coming in the second half.

Eubanks’ 25 points led all players. She, Neighbors, and Weatherford were joined in double figures by Rosie Silva, who added 14 points and five assists. Eubanks and Westin Taylor added six rebounds.

UCM’s Nicole Caddell grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds, and the Jennies held a 16-10 advantage on the offensive glass. Central Missouri connected on 11 3-pointers while the Golden Suns were 0-5 from long range.

The Golden Suns will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 3, hosting Northwestern Oklahoma at Tucker Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.