HAYS, KS — Fatima Adams’ 27-point, 12-rebound performance provided game highs in both categories, but the Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team (23-7) was unable to overcome a red-hot second half from the No. 9 Emporia State Lady Hornets (26-4), dropping a 68-51 decision in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Central Region Championship.
“I want to first congratulate Emporia State,” said head coach Dave Wilbers. “They played an outstanding second half and knocked down some shots. I think they’re one of the top three or four teams in the country and have a chance to win a national championship. I’m proud of our team today and this year. We had a fantastic year winning our conference, but we really had to battle to make it here these last couple weeks.”
The Golden Suns and Lady Hornets went back and forth through the opening minutes, with six ties and five lead changes in the opening nine minutes. However, with 11:01 remaining in the opening half, Adams buried a jumper that gave the Golden Suns a 16-15 lead, and keyed a 16-4 run for Tech that saw the Golden Suns open up a 30-19 lead with 3:30 remaining in the half.
However, Emporia started its run with a pair of free throws at the 3:16 mark, and with 2:38 remaining in the half, ESU’s Kelly Moten buried a 3-pointer – the lone field goal for Emporia in the final 13 minutes of the half – to pull the Lady Hornets to within 30-24, a margin that would hold until half.
The Hornets continued their run, eventually claiming the lead at the 16:08 mark and stretching it to seven (39-32), capping the 20-2 run at the 14:47 mark.
The Golden Suns were within three (41-38) with 12:00 remaining, but a 10-0 run by the Lady Hornets pushed the ESU lead into double digits, and ESU was able to hold the Suns off down the stretch to seal the win.
Joining Adams in double figures was Jacinda Myers-Sanders, who turned in a 10-point, nine-rebound effort in her final game in an Arkansas Tech uniform.