www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage of the championship game. Arkansas Tech shot 57 percent from the field during the first half on Saturday. The Suns built a 38-25 lead at the intermission and led by as many as 15 points early in the second half. “I thought the first half we played outstanding,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Dave Wilbers during his post-game radio interview with Paul Smith on KWKK 100.9 FM. “We shot the ball well, and Fatima (Adams) was really unstoppable down low. It allowed us to build a lead, and when we get a lead like that we’re tough to beat because our defense is so solid.” Southeastern Oklahoma State (20-10) used an 8-0 run to pull within 64-60 with 1:54 remaining, but a 15-foot jumper by Arkansas Tech’s Fabiana Monte at the 1:30 mark stopped the Savage Storm’s momentum. A layup by Adams and a key defensive rebound by Anna Lea Little in the final 30 seconds allowed the Golden Suns to hold on for their fourth consecutive win. “The way (Southeastern Oklahoma State’s) personnel was, it was a good match-up for Fabi,” said Wilbers when asked about Monte. “She was able to come off the bench and give us some outside shooting. They were double teaming Fatima, and Fabi did a good job of hitting shots to take advantage. It was a tough game, but it always is against Southeastern Oklahoma. They’re a good team.” Adams scored 22 points and gathered 12 rebounds for her 13th double-double of the season. She was 9-of-18 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the free throw line. Adams also had five assists. Monte notched 12 points, while Katrina Hayden added 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds for Arkansas Tech. Cheree Kiser scored a team-high 16 points for the Savage Storm. The Golden Suns will seek the sixth conference tournament championship of their NCAA Division II era on Sunday. They were Gulf South Conference Tournament champions in 1998, 2003, 2010 and 2011. Arkansas Tech won the GAC Tournament title in 2013.]]>
