Nationally fifth-ranked Arkansas Tech survived an upset bid from Henderson State with a key defensive play at the end of regulation and clutch free throws in overtime as the Golden Suns escaped with a 90-86 win over the Lady Reddies at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia on Thursday night.
The Golden Suns (21-1 overall, 8-1 Gulf South Conference) got a blocked shot from Katie Horsman (photographed) with 0.8 seconds left in regulation to preserve an 80-80 tie and send Tech to overtime for the first time this season.
Janisha Young put Henderson State (13-11, 4-5) in front 86-85 with a free throw at the 1:44 mark of overtime, but that proved to be the Lady Reddies’ final point of the game.
Tech’s Ashley Chisum, playing her first game in a month due to injury, got a key defensive rebound with under a minute to go in the extra period. She was fouled and hit two free throws — her only two points of the night — with 41.8 seconds left to put the Suns in front for good at 87-86.
Henderson State missed a free throw with 18.4 seconds left and committed a lane violation before its second attempt.
Jenny Vining received the ensuing inbounds pass for the Suns, was fouled and made two free throws to give Tech an 89-86 edge with 17.1 seconds left.
The Lady Reddies turned it over on their last-chance possession with five seconds left, and Vining hit a free throw with 2.2 seconds left to ice it for the Suns.
Vining finished with 23 points. Natalia Santos had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Tech, while Horsman scored a career-high 17 points and matched her career high with 10 rebounds.
Laura Beth Anderson added 11 points and Jessica Weatherford scored 10 points for the Golden Suns.
Jazmine Ellis led HSU with 24 points.
The Golden Suns will host the Harding Lady Bisons at 4 p.m. Saturday at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
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