Arkansas Tech University will host its first doubleheader of the 2010-11 basketball season when Lambuth University pays a visit to Tucker Coliseum on Saturday.
Tip-off for the women’s game between the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (2-0) and the Lambuth Lady Eagles (0-2) is set for 4 p.m.
The men’s game between the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (1-1) and the Lambuth Eagles (0-1) is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Tickets will be available at the Tucker Coliseum ticket office beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission will be free with a valid Arkansas Tech identification card.
Click here to access live video from the Tech-Lambuth games on Saturday.
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Arkansas Tech’s women, ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II, have been idle since a 120-34 win over Rhema Bible on Tuesday. The Golden Suns established new women’s basketball school records for points in a game and margin of victory in the win. “We have been working mainly on ourselves and on adding some things offensively,” said Tech head women’s basketball coach Dave Wilbers. “We are also working on our defensive positioning, and we’ve been working on specific situations so that we can be comfortable and confident when we face those late in games.” The Suns are led in scoring by senior guard Jenny Vining of Marshall (21.5 points per game) and junior forward Natalia Santos of Sao Paulo, Brazil (21.0 points per game).
Sophomore forward Jessica Weatherford of Bonnerdale (12.0 points per game) gives Tech three players averaging double figures in scoring.
Senior point guard Laura Beth Anderson of Springdale has an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than 4-to-1 (13 assists, three turnovers), and senior guard Shaquilah Davis of Colorado Springs, Colo., is averaging 5.5 steals per game. The Lambuth Lady Eagles dropped an 82-39 decision at Harding University on Thursday. The Lady Eagles were guilty of 35 turnovers in the loss. Lambuth won the NAIA national championship in women’s basketball in 2007 and was NAIA national runner-up in 2009.
The Lady Eagles reached the NAIA National Tournament again in 2010, but only one starter and two letter winners are back from a team that was 19-11 overall last season.
Arkansas Tech’s men, ranked No. 13 in NCAA Division II, will look to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they face Lambuth.
The Wonder Boys suffered an 87-72 loss at Drury University on Wednesday. Tech failed to make a field goal over the final 9:04 and Drury closed the game on a 23-5 run.
The 87 points scored by the Panthers were the most allowed by the Wonder Boys in a regular season game since Feb. 14, 2009.
“Our guys have bounced back and they are hungry,” said Tech head men’s basketball coach Doug Karleskint. “We’ve had some hard practices and film discussions. The loss left a bad taste in our players’ mouths, and that was good to see as a coach. Our back side help on defense was non-existent at Drury. We took a few charges, and those were good defensive possessions. We just need to have more of them.”
Jared Williamson, a sophomore guard from Russellville, is the Wonder Boys’ leading scorer through two games. He is averaging 17.5 points per outing.
Junior guard Johnie Davis of Canton, Ohio (13.5 points per game) and senior forward James Causey of Tangipahoa, La., (11.5 points per game) are also averaging double figures in scoring for Arkansas Tech. Senior point guard Laithe Massey of Heber Springs is averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 assists per contest.
Lambuth’s men lost their season opener 82-69 at Harding University on Thursday. The Eagles were whistled for 33 fouls, which led to them shooting 21 fewer free throws than the Bisons. Harding out-rebounded Lambuth 49-35.
After hosting Lambuth, Arkansas Tech’s basketball teams will prepare for another home doubleheader on Monday, Nov. 22. The Golden Suns will take on Central Baptist at 5:30 p.m. and the Wonder Boys will entertain Ecclesia College at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
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