RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Four University of West Alabama women’s basketball players posting double figures was not enough, as the Tigers (4-9) dropped a 77-69 decision to Arkansas Tech at the Tucker Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Jessica Thompson led the way with 18 points for UWA.

Joining the Valhermoso Springs, Ala.-native in double figures were Ashton Washington, Valerie Harris and Dominique Whitfield. Washington and Harris each posted double-doubles in the contest with Washington tallying 15 points and 13 rebounds, as Harris recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds. Whitfield wrapped up the double digit totals with 10 points.

Ruby Vaden led all scores with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Amanda Grappe also totaled a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, as Daina Domingos added 10 points for the Golden Suns.

ATU led by 12 points at the intermission, 37-25, but the Red and White opened the second half on an 8-1 run to narrow the gap to five points in the first two minutes of the session. The Golden Suns would make a run to extend the lead out to 12 points, but a 19-7 run by the Tigers again narrowed the lead, this time back to 53-52, before the Tigers took the lead on a layup by Harris with just less than nine minutes to play in regulation. A 19-10 run over the next eight minutes pushed the Golden Suns lead to 72-64 with just under two minutes to play.

The Tigers outscored the Golden Suns 12-3 in the first two minutes of play, but a 10-2 run by ATU decreased the deficit to 14-13 in just under five minutes. The Golden Suns would grab the lead on a Domigos trey with 10 to play in the first half. Whitfield would knot the game on a pair of free throws, but a 19-7 run to close the half gave ATU its 12 point lead at the break.

West Alabama returns to action on Monday, January 7^th, as the Tigers wrap up a two-game road swing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Tip-off between the Cotton Blossoms and Tigers is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Steelman Fieldhouse.