Lady Bucs Beaten In GSC Opener
By Rori Eddie

Russellville, AR--It’s never easy to come up against the Arkansas Tech University women’s basketball team, but it’s an even more daunting task when asked to open your 2002 Gulf South Conference campaign against the Golden Suns, while nursing your own three-game losing streak.

That’s exactly the challenge head coach Todd Schaefer and his Christian Brothers University Lady Buccaneers faced tonight inside Tucker Coliseum, and the task proved too much to handle, as ATU took the 58-49 victory over CBU.

Ranked third in the South Regional rankings, Arkansas Tech jumped to an early 38-22 advantage at the halftime intermission behind a solid 55.2 first-half shooting percentage from the field. The Lady Bucs could only connect on 10-of-26 attempts from the field for the first half, equaling a 38.5 shooting percentage.

The second-half, however, would belong to the tenacious Lady Buccaneers, as CBU outscored the Golden Suns 27-20. In the end, though, it would not be enough, as ATU hung on to collect its first victory of the Gulf South Conference schedule.

Arkansas Tech improves to 9-1 overall, 1-0 in league action, while Christian Brothers University slips to a 7-4 stand overall and a 0-1 mark in the GSC standings.

Chanovia Rhodes’ game-high 17 points and nine rebounds led the Golden Suns offense. The 6’2" junior forward connected on 7-of her-13 tries from the field while collecting two blocks and two steals. Teammate Mindy Lasater added 14 points, while Emily Walker chipped in with 10 points.

The Lady Buccaneers would be paced by Rubenia Finley’s (Rome, GA) team-high 12 points. The freshman guard came off the bench to knock down six-of her-11 attempts from the field, while pulling down five rebounds. Teammate Sarah Condra (Millington, TN) netted 11 points on the night, while Amonica Wiggins (Duncan, OK) grabbed a team-high six caroms to pair with her eight points.

Christian Brothers will return to De La Salle Gymnasium, Monday, January 7th at 5:30 PM to play host to GSC opponent, the University of Arkansas-Monticello.