GOLDEN SUNS CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON WITH HARD-FOUGHT ROAD WIN AT OUACHITA BAPTIST

        ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas – The 10th-ranked Arkansas Tech Women’s Basketball team closed out its 2007-08 regular season here Saturday by collecting a hard-fought 63-57 win over Ouachita Baptist in Gulf South Conference action at Vining Arena.

Tech, which ended the regular season with a 23-4 overall record and a 12-2 mark in the GSC, connected on 5-of-6 free throws in the final three minutes of the game to hold off a second-half rally by the Lady Tigers, who ended their season with a 5-22 overall record and a 2-12 mark in the GSC.

“We were worn down and our kids hit the wall in the final 10 minutes of the game due to the gym being a little hot, but we were able to hit some key free throws down the stretch to hold off OBU,” Golden Suns Head Coach Dave Wilbers said. “We’ve faced adversity all season, so tonight was no different. I was proud of team’s effort today.”

The Golden Suns, who led 34-16 at the half, held a 51-32 lead with 10:42 left in the game following a three-pointer by sophomore guard Brittany Gottsponer (Morrilton, Ark.). OBU used a 25-10 run over a span of nine minutes to pull within 61-57 on a basket by Haley Griffin with 1:55 left in the game. The Golden Suns, though, closed the game’s scoring with two free throws by junior guard Nikki Earles (Huntsville, Ark.) with four seconds remaining in the game to seal the win.

In the second half, Tech hit only six field goals, but kept OBU at bay thanks to hitting 15-of-18 free throws, including junior forward Amanda Grappe (Benton, Ark.) and senior forward Krishna Baker (Little Rock, Ark.) combining to go 10-of-12 at line.

“K.B. and Amanda were outstanding at the line. Both of them are good free throw shooters,” the first-year Tech coach said.

Grappe and Baker each recorded 19 points in the win, while Gottsponer added 15 points and four assists in 37 minutes of action.

“Brittany played her best game of the year and we needed it,” Wilbers said. “She stepped up and made some plays.”

OBU was paced offensively by 11 points each from Gabby Coleman and Maranda Parker, while Griffin added 10 points and six rebounds.

 In the first half, Tech opened up to a 15-8 lead just eight minutes into game. OBU, though, used a 6-3 run to pull within 18-14 on three-pointer by Magan Scrivner with 7:44 remaining. Following Scrivner’s trey, Tech closed the half outscoring the Lady Tigers, 14-2, to go into halftime with its 16 point lead. Tech’s first-half closing run was sparked by nine points from Grappe, the five-time GSC West Division Player of the Week.

“I thought our team played a great first half, but for some reason, we couldn’t get it going in the second half,” the Tech coach said. “But give some credit to OBU, they hit some shots.”

For the game, Tech shot 38 percent from the field, 33 percent from the 3-point line and 64 percent (18-for-28) from the foul line, while OBU shot 41 percent from the floor, including 54 percent shooting in the second half and shot 42 percent from the 3-point arc and 71 percent at the line. In addition, Tech held a 37-33 rebounding advantage and forced 24 turnovers that led to 18 Tech points, but the Golden Suns committed 17 turnovers that led to 19 Lady Tiger points.  

Tech will return to action on Thursday, March 6, when they open play at the GSC Tournament against West Alabama, the No. 3 seed out of the East Division. Tip-off for the quarterfinal game is set for 12:30 p.m. at the DeSoto County Civic Center in Southaven, Miss.

“Our team is ready for the postseason to start. We have a team that is geared for postseason play and we’ll be ready to go on Thursday against West Alabama,” Wilbers added.

          Ouachita Baptist Box Score       

-- Tech Athletics --