Season-best scoring performances from Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse and Hannah Villines helped Arkansas Tech University record a 90-47 women’s basketball victory over Hendrix College at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Tuesday night.
Stackhouse scored 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and a 6-of-6 night at the free throw line, while Villines poured in 16 points. She was 5-of-7 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe.
Jayana Sanders notched 15 points for the Golden Suns (2-2) and Jacie Higgins netted 11 points.
Higgins also had the primary defensive assignment on Hendrix’s Vinessa Daniel, who came into the game averaging 28 points per game. Daniel was limited to 10 points on Tuesday.
“Jacie did a nice job staying in front of (Daniel) and challenging her shots,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach. “I thought our team defense was really good in the first half. This was really the first game this season I’ve seen us battle for rebounds, and we’ll have to do more of that moving forward.”
Arkansas Tech out-rebounded the Warriors 47-30 and forced Hendrix into 35 turnovers. The Golden Suns finished with a 33-14 edge in points off turnovers and a 33-7 margin in fast break points.
Arkansas Tech led 20-10 after one quarter and took command with a 14-0 run early in the second quarter. When that surge was over, the Golden Suns led 36-12 with 5:23 remaining until halftime.
Hendrix responded with a 12-0 run to pull within 36-24 at the 2:14 mark of the second quarter, but Arkansas Tech restored order with a 9-0 spurt to close the half. The Suns held a 45-24 advantage at the intermission.
Arkansas Tech scored the first nine points of the third quarter and went on to improve to 4-0 all-time against the Warriors.
The Golden Suns will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 29, with a 5:30 p.m. Great American Conference contest at Ouachita Baptist University. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage from Vining Arena in Arkadelphia.
