WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Women's Basketball delivered a complete, wire-to-wire performance Thursday night, knocking off league-leading Arkansas Tech 84-56 in a statement Great American Conference victory.
The Golden Suns entered the matchup receiving votes in the WBCA national poll with just two losses on the season, but the Lady Bulldogs set the tone early and never let up. SWOSU's defense limited Tech to a season-low 30% shooting while forcing 19 turnovers — tied for the second-most Arkansas Tech has committed this season.
On the offensive end, the Lady Bulldogs turned in their most productive outing of the season, scoring a season-high 84 points on 45% shooting, their second-best mark of the year.
SWOSU wasted no time asserting control. The Lady Bulldogs built a double-digit lead by the first media timeout of the opening quarter behind a dominant two-way effort from
Landry Allen. Allen poured in eight points in the opening minutes while also recording five blocks and three steals, as SWOSU forced nine first-quarter turnovers and converted them into 11 points. Arkansas Tech managed just three field goals in the period, while SWOSU shot 53% to take a commanding 25-8 lead after one.
The momentum carried into the second quarter as SWOSU continued to pour it on. The Lady Bulldogs knocked down four more three-pointers — adding to Allen's two from the first quarter — and outscored the Golden Suns 26-13 in the period. Arkansas Tech found some late looks to finish above 30% shooting for the quarter, but SWOSU's defensive pressure remained constant. The Lady Bulldogs headed into halftime with a 51-21 advantage, marking the most points SWOSU has scored in a half this season.
Arkansas Tech found its rhythm offensively in the third quarter, scoring 29 points in an attempt to claw back into the game. Each push was answered, however, as SWOSU continued to operate efficiently on offense. The Lady Bulldogs knocked down three more three-pointers in the quarter and went 8-for-10 at the free-throw line, with six of those makes coming from Allen, to maintain full control.
SWOSU closed the game with another strong defensive effort, holding Arkansas Tech to just 1-of-15 shooting in the fourth quarter. The defensive stand allowed the Lady Bulldogs to cruise to the finish despite their coldest shooting stretch of the night.
Allen narrowly missed a triple-double, finishing one block shy while tying her own program record in blocks. She also posted a season-high rebounding performance to secure her second double-double of the season.
Sincere Jackson recorded her fourth double-double of the year with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while
Elle Papahronis finished with 12 points and nine boards, just one rebound shy of a double-double.
SWOSU dominated the glass, outrebounding Arkansas Tech 50-35 and holding a decisive 21-5 advantage in second-chance points.
With the win, the Lady Bulldogs improve to 7-10 overall and 5-7 in GAC play. SWOSU will look to build on the momentum Saturday when No. 15-ranked Harding visits Weatherford for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff.
