Golden came to UALR from Bryant High School in 1978 and averaged 13.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in three seasons at UALR (1978-81), graduating as the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Presently, Golden remains ranked in the top-10 in nine of UALR's career statistical categories and five of its single-season records.

She scored a career-high 38 points against Arkansas College on Dec. 11, 1979, which stood as the school record for over 30 years before Reed poured in 42 points at Louisiana-Monroe earlier this season (1/2/10).

Golden averaged a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game as a freshman during the 1978-79 season, and ranked second on the team in scoring at 12.0 points per game. As a sophomore, she averaged a career-high 16.1 points per game and ranked second on the team with a 7.7 rebounding average. She had nine games with 20-or-more points during her sophomore season, including her 38-point performance against Arkansas College.

In her final season at UALR, Golden averaged 10.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, with a team-high 55 assists and a .569 field goal percentage.

She married UALR swimmer Larry Golden following her junior year and chose not to play basketball as a senior. She has since remarried to Anthony Hughes, and has one daughter, Leslie Golden, from her previous marriage. She is the Systems Administrator and IT Director for a chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee where she has worked for the past 28 years. In 2005, her daughter's interest in the sport of volleyball brought her back home to UALR where she works closely with UALR head coach Van Compton's Junior Olympic volleyball program, Little Rock Juniors. From 2006-08, she served as President of the club's Board of Directors, and currently is serving as the club's Administrator.

To this day, Golden is still ranked in the top-5 in four of UALR's all-time career statistical categories, sitting third in rebounding average (7.4), fourth in field goal percentage (.484), third in free throw attempts (350) and fourth in free throws made (218). She held the school record for free throws attempted and made in a season until Reed broke both records this year.