Jessica Weatherford had career highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the nationally ninth-ranked Arkansas Tech Golden Suns to a 78-74 win over the Ouachita Baptist Lady Tigers at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Thursday night.
Weatherford was 11-of-14 from the field as the Golden Suns (17-0 overall, 4-0 Gulf South Conference) remained tied with Delta State for first place in the GSC West Division.
A freshman from Bonnerdale, Weatherford scored back-to-back baskets to give Tech a 74-69 lead with 2:35 to play.
The Suns then turned it over to their defense, holding OBU to just one made field goal over the final 3:54.
OBU’s A’Laeshia Adams had a look at a potentially tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining, but Tech’s Shaquilah Davis forced her into a bad shot and Laura Beth Anderson got the defensive rebound for the Suns.
Anderson made a free throw with 8.6 seconds left to set the final score.
Jenny Vining had 19 points and Natalia Santos had 11 points for Tech.
Adams led Ouachita Baptist (9-8, 1-3) with 19 points.
The Golden Suns will return home to host the nationally second-ranked Delta State Lady Statesmen at 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission to Tucker Coliseum will be free with a valid Tech identification card. Gates will open at 3 p.m.
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