Golden Suns Hold on For 73-62 Win Over the Rangers

Courtesy Arkansas Tech University Athletics Department

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Freshman Caitlyn Spurgeon scored a game-high and career-high 20 points, while senior Jessica Weatherford added 17 points as the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (6-4, 3-1 GAC) women’s basketball team held off a furious late charge from Northwestern Oklahoma State (4-6, 2-2 GAC), taking a 73-62 victory over the Rangers Thursday night at Tucker Coliseum.

“I thought we played well and that’s what we need,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Dave Wilbers. “These girls have been working hard and several of them saw time in the game tonight that normally doesn’t get as many minutes. I think we played soft and didn’t communicate as much in the first half but we got better in the second half. I liked our defenses and we mixed it up and it showed. ”

The Golden Suns started off the game with a layup by Spurgeon, marking the first of many shots she would take during the game. The Rangers took the lead only twice in the first half near the beginning at the two minute and four minute mark.

Arkansas Tech shot 44.8 percent from the floor in the opening half, holding Northwestern Oklahoma State to a 25.9 percent clip.

The Golden Suns scored early and often in the first half, stretching the lead to as many as 18 with 7:05 remaining in the second half after a good layup by sophomore Jae Tucker. Arkansas Tech never gave up the lead in the second half as they only allowed the Rangers to narrow the margin to nine.

Arkansas Tech held a 40-31 advantage on the rebounding glass and committed 13 turnovers to the Rangers 15. The Golden Suns held a slight 50.0 to 47.8 percent advantage from the floor.

Weatherford and Spurgeon both added two blocks. Senior Roselis Silva dished out a game-high eight assists and six steals. Freshman Caroline Eubanks went 4-4 on free throws.

The Golden Suns led a 12-4 advantage on points made from a fast break, 44-26 in the paint, and 18-9 off of turnovers.

“We need think about this game and how we can be better as we look forward to Saturday’s game,” said Wilbers.

The Golden Suns will return to action on Saturday, January 5 hosting Southwestern Oklahoma at Tucker Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.