Arkansas Tech University’s Fatima Adams was named Great American Conference player of the year on Wednesday night. On Saturday night, she showed everyone why.
The senior All-American scored a career-high 43 points to lead the nationally 15th-ranked Golden Suns to a 99-85 victory over Southern Arkansas University in the semifinal round of the 2016 GAC Tournament at Bruin Fieldhouse in Bartlesville, Okla.
Adams was 19-of-27 from the field. She added 10 rebounds for the 25th double-double of her two-year career at Tech.
It was the most points scored by a Golden Sun in a single game in more than a quarter-century. Adams finished one point shy of matching the GAC Tournament record for points in a game and eight points shy of tying Donna Brunson’s school record for points in a game.
Adams is only the fourth Arkansas Tech women’s basketball player to score 40 or more points in a game, joining Brunson, Lanell Dawson and Jenny Vining.
Adams’ big night came 24 hours after foul trouble limited her to 11 points in a 60-58 win over the University of Arkansas-Monticello in the GAC Tournament first round.
“She had a lot of energy because she didn’t play much yesterday,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Dave Wilbers. “She runs the floor so well and the girls did a great job of getting her the basketball. This is the best transition offense team I’ve had.”
The Golden Suns (25-3) used a 10-0 run over a span of 2:35 in the fourth quarter to open an 81-66 advantage with 5:56 left. Arkansas Tech maintained at least an 11-point edge the rest of the way and made 7-of-8 free throws over the final 54.1 seconds to seal it.
Bre Brooks and Kelsey McClure scored 14 points apiece for the Suns.
Rosa Bryant poured in 27 points for the Lady Muleriders, who completed their season with an overall record of 19-9.
Arkansas Tech advances to face Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the GAC Tournament championship game at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
