R.J. Glasper scored 16 of his game-high 24 points after halftime to lead Arkansas Tech University to an 82-74 victory over Ouachita Baptist University in Great American Conference men’s basketball at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday night.
Glasper was 9-of-17 from the field and 5-of-9 from 3-point range. He also made seven assists to help the Wonder Boys (3-1 overall, 1-0 GAC) stop a string of three losses in their last four games against the Tigers.
Arkansas Tech held Ouachita (1-3, 0-1) to 40 percent shooting from the floor.
“As long and athletic as we are, we should be able to defend,” said Chad Kline, ATU head coach. “If we don’t, it’s because we don’t want to. Our biggest issue is we are just immature. We get a lead and think it’s over. That’s not how it works in these conference games.”
Arkansas Tech led 41-33 at halftime and by as many as 11 points shortly after the intermission. After Ouachita Baptist pulled within 57-55 midway through the second half, the Wonder Boys responded with an 8-0 run to take control.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Glasper and Devante Foster sparked the Wonder Boys’ decisive spurt. Kevin McNeal put an exclamation mark on it with a slam dunk at the 8:15 mark that increased Tech’s advantage to 65-55.
The Wonder Boys maintained at least a six-point edge the rest of the way.
Dillon Gooding had 18 points, Ramses Sandifer notched 13 points and Foster finished with 12 points and nine rebounds for Arkansas Tech.
Matt Stanley and Eric Brown poured in 17 points apiece for the Tigers.
The Wonder Boys and the Henderson State University Reddies will meet for a 3 p.m. GAC contest at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
