RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The SWOSU women's basketball team got a much-needed win against Arkansas Tech in Russellville this weekend, 73-65. This was a hard-fought contest that should give SWOSU confidence late in close games through the end of the season.

SWOSU gets back in the win column with this one and moves to 8-17 and 8-12 in the conference. This win keeps them tied at seventh with Southern Arkansas and in position to earn their way into the GAC Tournament. Up next is a must win game on the road versus the East Central Tigers at 5:30 pm on Thursday night. 
 
It was turnovers that won SWOSU this game. Macy Gore and Averi Zinn both totaled four steals while Shamica Smith collected three. The Lady Bulldogs shot almost 10% worse than the Golden Suns today, but caused 21 ATU turnovers. They scored 19 points off those mistakes from Arkansas Tech which proved to be the major difference.
 
Morgan Smith led the way in the first half, scoring 16 points and shooting 4-7 from three in the opening quarters. SWOSU played their usual pressure defense, getting some steals and giving some open looks from this. The Golden Suns shot well, but they were only scoring two points every possession. SWOSU made seven three pointers in the first half to ATU's zero.
 
SWOSU won the third with some solid defense, holding the opposition to 14 points and 26% shooting in the quarter. Arkansas Tech opened the quarter on an 8-0 run which the Lady Dawgs stood tall through. They went on a little run of their own and ended the quarter up four points.
 
The fourth quarter was tightly contested with the two teams trading scores, but SWOSU never relinquished the lead. They answered every ATU basket with one of their own down the stretch. They ended the game on a 7-0 run over the last 1:12 to secure the victory.
 
Morgan Smith ended with a team high 24 points and six made threes. Shamica Smith had a big double-double with a career high 19 points and 13 rebounds. Averi Zinn added in 11 points, four rebounds, and four steals.