FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women’s Basketball took on Arkansas Tech in the first ever meeting between the two programs Tuesday night at the Stubblefield Center, with the Golden Suns coming out on top, 73-65.
Tech built an early lead before the Lions battled back to tie the game at 14-14 late in the first quarter. Down 18-17 after one, the Lions started the second quarter on a 7-0 run and held a 27-23 lead with 4:42 left in the half.
However, ATU closed the half on a 14-0 run and then had another 12-0 run early in the third. Despite the deficit at the end of the third, the Lions continued to battle, outscoring the Golden Suns, 28-7, in the final stanza.
The fourth included a 13-0 run by the Lions that cut the lead to 10 with 3:24 left.
Guard Zyniah Thomas scored a team-high 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting while pulling down seven rebounds. Guard Baylee Fincher added 13 points off the bench with a pair of triples and a 5-for-5 night at the line. Forward Kayle Brundidge tallied eight points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
The Lions wrap up nonconference play Saturday at 1 p.m. with a trip to UA Monticello.