Arkansas Tech survived a 3-point try at the buzzer by Arkansas-Monticello to defeat the Boll Weevils 85-82 at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday night.
With the victory, Arkansas Tech extended its winning streak to six games in a row and maintained a share of first place in the Gulf South Conference West Division men’s basketball standings.
The Wonder Boys (12-3 overall, 3-0 GSC) took the lead for good on back-to-back 3-pointers by Johnie Davis midway through the second half. The second of Davis’ consecutive treys made it 64-60 with 9:51 remaining.
UAM (9-6, 1-2) cut it to 76-75 in the final four minutes, but a Laithe Massey steal led to a Matt Haney 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2:07 left. Haney’s first 3-pointer of the conference season gave Arkansas Tech a 79-75 edge.
Baskets from Jeremy Dunbar, Ridas Pulkauninkas and Willie Sanders allowed the Wonder Boys to hold an 85-80 lead with 15.2 seconds to go.
LA Farmer answered with a layup for the Boll Weevils with 10.8 seconds left. Tech missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw opportunity with 9.0 seconds remaining to give the Boll Weevils a chance to call their final timeout and set up a potentially game-tying 3-pointer.
UAM got the ball to Jerrell Boswell, who hit six 3-pointers in the game. His try from the right wing bounced off the rim and Tech grabbed the rebound as time expired.
James Causey (photographed) and Dunbar scored 18 points apiece for the Wonder Boys. Tech’s Davis had 16 points.
Farmer notched 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals to lead the Boll Weevils. Sergio Crowe had 20 points and 11 rebounds. Boswell scored 18 points, and Ricardo Hall added 11 points.
The Wonder Boys will host Southern Arkansas for a 7:30 p.m. GSC game at Tucker Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 20.
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