The Arkansas Tech University Women’s Basketball Team was ranked 1st in the Division II standings posted March 8th.
The Golden Suns enter the NCAA Division II South Regional Championship with an overall record of 27-2. The will open the 2011 Elite Eight on March 22 against Michigan Tech.
The Golden Sun’s Season
The Golden Suns used a quick start and 64% shooting from the field to post an 85-77 win over fourth-ranked Delta State in the NCAA Division II South Regional Championship game. Arkansas Tech won this game in front of season-high 3,125 fans at Tucker Coliseum. This win marks the second consecutive and fourth time in school history that Tech takes home the South Regional Championship crown.
The Golden Suns can also be proud of their second consecutive 30-win season and eighth 30-win campaign in the school’s history.
In addition to this, the Golden Suns extended its home-court winning streak to 36 straight games, which is the second-longest home win streak in school history and second longest active streak in Division II women’s basketball. These players are led by Head coach Dave Wilbers, with an on court presence of Natalia Santos, Jenny Vining, and Jessica Weatherford.
About The Team
Head Coach Dave Wilbers is in his fourth season at Arkansas Tech, the third all-time winningest NCAA Division II women’s basketball program. In his past coaching position at Oral Roberts University, Wilbers was responsible for recruiting three-straight heralded recruiting classes that helped to win two Mid-Con Tournament Championships, two Mid-Con Regular Season titles and earn two berths in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
He has led Tech to a berth in the NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament and its first Elite Eight appearance since 1999.
Junior Natalia Santos was named to the All Gulf South Conference West Division First-Team for the second consecutive season. Santos is averaging 17.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. She has had 23 double-digit games, 10 20-plus point games, and eight double-doubles.
Santos has scored over 1,000 points and 474 rebounds. Senior Jenny Vining and Sophomore Jessica Weatherford were named to the All-GSC West Division Second-Team. Vining averages 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. She has reached double figures in 19 games and 48 times in her career. Vining leads the GSC and is 10th nationally in 3-pointers made per game with 2.9.
Weatherford, who was last season’s GSC West Division Freshman of the Year and NCAA D-II South Regional Most Outstanding Player, was named to the All-GSC West Division Second Team. She averages 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Weatherford has over 700 points and 42 career double figure scoring games.
About The School
Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR and has an impressive 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. There are over 10,000 students at Arkansas Tech with over 400 faculty members. Tech provides a campus small enough for individual attention, yet large enough to always have something going on. Arkansas Tech also has one of the highest graduation rates in the state, region, and nation.
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