Arkansas Tech head coach Dave Wilbers told his players before Thursday night’s contest at Southern Arkansas that if they did not want to play defense or rebound, they might as well come have a seat by him. The Golden Suns apparently took their coach’s words to heart.
The nationally seventh-ranked Golden Suns were plus-12 in rebound margin and held SAU to 28 percent shooting from the field as Arkansas Tech routed the Lady Muleriders 73-52 at the W.T. Watson Athletic Center in Magnolia.
Tech (19-1 overall, 6-1 Gulf South Conference) led 35-25 at halftime and then blew the game open by outscoring Southern Arkansas 21-5 over the first 9:24 of the second half.
The Suns maintained at least a 21-point edge the rest of the way as they improved to 60-8 all-time against SAU and remained in sole possession of first place in the GSC West Division.
Natalia Santos and Jenny Vining led Tech with 13 points apiece.
Laura Beth Anderson (photographed) added 10 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals for the Suns, while Jessica Weatherford notched nine points and nine rebounds.
Tech’s Johnna tenBerge matched her career high with eight points.
Kmaria Hobbs had 20 points for SAU (6-14, 1-7).
The Golden Suns will host Arkansas-Monticello at 4 p.m. Saturday. UAM beat Christian Brothers 77-52 on Thursday night.
The ticket office and doors at Tucker Coliseum will open at 3 p.m. Saturday. Those with a valid Tech identification card will be admitted free.
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