PHOTO | Tara Espinoza
On Feb. 7, the Golden Suns won against Harding at home 70-58. The Golden Suns controlled the pace. They shot 50% from the floor and outscored Harding 19-10 in the quarter. In the second quarter, Tech played lock-down defense on Harding. Both sides would trade free throws, and the Golden Suns would end the half 31-22.
“Each day is a process to make the GAC tournament. The team has been working hard and doing its best with COVID issues and injuries. We are giving it everything we got,” Dave Wilbers, basketball coach, said.
In the third quarter, after some missed shots, the team still wrapped the quarter at 46-42. The Golden Suns would play defense, and with Harding missing shots, the Golden Suns would win the game 70-58.
“Our offense is something we are working on. We are playing as one team working together and getting the job done. We are going to overcome it, and it has been a good season so far,” Wilbers said.
On Feb. 10, the team would win 57-53 against Oklahoma Baptist. Both sides scored nine points after a timeout; the Golden Suns got a three-ball made by senior guard Jayana Sanders. Giving Tech an 8-4 lead over the Bison. The Golden Suns ended the quarter with a 14-10 lead with a layup by junior Ashlei Lopez and a two-point jumper from sophomore Kaley Shipman.
The Bison would take a 27-26 lead at the second quarter, but after a three-pointer and a layup, the lead would go back to Tech 31-27. Both teams would start committing fouls, but after a layup by Sanders gave Tech a 40-36 lead, the bison would get a three-point basket making the score 40-39 in the third quarter.
The bison would lead in the fourth quarter with 47-40. With a jumper from Nikki Metcalfe, and another three from Shipman, it would cut the Bison lead. Sanders would tie the game with a 2-for-2 from the line. With a quick mid-range jumper, time ran out, and the Golden Suns would take down Oklahoma Baptist 57-53.
“We have a lot of work to do, and each day is a new day for the team. We have to keep playing and working together to make going to the GAC tournament,” Wilbers said.
The next home game for the Golden Suns is Feb. 24, playing against Henderson State.
