Feb. 14, 2008

Final Stats

MEMPHIS--No. 12 Arkansas Tech used a 29-2 advantage in fast-break points to rally in the second half for a 71-59 win over the Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs Thursday night in Gulf South Conference West Division action.

The Lady Bucs (16-6, 4-5 GSC West) led for most of the first half after an early 9-0 run helped them build an 11-4 lead on a three-pointer by junior guard Kat Butler (Nashville, Tenn./Brentwood HS). The Lady Bucs pushed the lead to as much as nine points after back-to-back baskets by junior forward Crystal Shelton (Nashville, Tenn./Hume-Fogg HS) before ending the half with a 31-24 lead.

The Golden Suns (19-3, 8-1) scored 21 fast-break points over the final 15:48, taking full control of the game just after the 10-minute mark as they went on a 19-5 run to turn a 46-44 CBU lead into a 63-51 Golden Suns lead, and CBU never cut the lead to single digits again.

The Grappe sisters led the way for the Golden Suns, with forward Amanda scoring 24 points with 13 rebounds and four steals, while guard Ashley had 18 points, eight assists, and six steals. Krishna Baker scored 13 points, while Nikki Earles added 10 off the bench.

Shelton led the Lady Bucs with 17 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks. Junior guard Erin Nigh (Morristown, Ind./Morristown HS) had 13 points and nine rebounds, while Butler added 10 points and four assists. Freshman forward Sheena DeBose (Tunica, Miss./Rosa Fort HS) scored eight points with six rebounds and four blocks in just 13 minutes before being knocked out of the game with an injury when she was fouled with 16:28 remaining.

The Lady Bucs shot just 31.7 percent (19-of-60) from the floor, including 27.6 percent (8-of-27) from three-point range, while the Golden Suns shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62). ATU heated up in the second half, shooting 55.9 percent (19-of-34) after CBU held them to 28.6 percent (8-of-28) in the opening half.

The Lady Bucs out-rebounded the Golden Suns 42-37 but committed 22 turnovers while forcing 14.

In addition to the fast-break margin, ATU also out-scored CBU 50-22 in the paint.

The Lady Bucs will be back in action Saturday afternoon as they visit Henderson State at 3 p.m.