Arkansas Tech University’s 2018-19 basketball odyssey through the Great American Conference will begin on Thursday, Nov. 29, in the Loveliest Village on the Ouachita River.
After visiting Arkadelphia for a GAC doubleheader against Ouachita Baptist University, the Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will return to Russellville and make their 2018-19 GAC home debut against Henderson State University on Saturday, Dec. 1. Game times at Tucker Coliseum on Saturday are set for 1 p.m. (women) and 3 p.m. (men).
League head coaches picked the Golden Suns to finish second in the GAC women’s basketball standings this season and the Wonder Boys to take third place in the 2018-19 GAC men’s basketball title chase.
Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (2-2, 0-0 GAC) vs. OBU Lady Tigers (2-3, 0-0 GAC)
When: Thursday, Nov. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Vining Arena, Arkadelphia
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 59-14
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech has been idle since a 90-47 non-conference win over Hendrix College on Nov. 20. Sophomores Jacie Higgins (12.3 points per game) and Jayana Sanders (11.3 points per game) along with juniors Alicia Mardis (11.3 points per game) and Hannah Villines (10.8 points per game) are the leaders of a Golden Suns’ offensive attack that is No. 1 in the GAC (85.2 points per game). ATU has won its last 10 women’s basketball meetings with Ouachita Baptist, including victories of 84-67 in Russellville and 74-60 in Arkadelphia last season.
About the Lady Tigers: Ouachita Baptist had won two consecutive games until the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith defeated the Lady Tigers 74-49 on Nov. 20. OBU is 2-0 at Vining Arena and 0-3 anywhere else this season. Sophomore forward Eden Crow (15.8 points per game) and senior guard Alivia Huell (12.6 points per game) lead the Lady Tigers in scoring. OBU’s Garry Crowder celebrated his 750th career win as a head coach following an 81-64 victory over Central Baptist College on Nov. 13.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (2-2, 0-0 GAC) vs. OBU Tigers (3-1, 0-0 GAC)
When: Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Vining Arena, Arkadelphia
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 84-75
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech defeated William Jewell College 94-80 on Nov. 17 in its final game before the Thanksgiving break. Sophomore guard R.J. Glasper (3rd, 22.3 points per game) and senior guard Alex Brown (7th, 18.5 points per game) give the Wonder Boys two of the top seven scorers in the GAC. Tech’s men have emerged victorious in their last two visits to Vining Arena. The Wonder Boys defeated Ouachita Baptist 89-85 on Feb. 11, 2017, and 82-76 on Feb. 22, 2018.
About the Tigers: Ouachita Baptist defeated the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith 77-72 and Midwestern State University 82-73 during a Thanksgiving classic in Fort Smith on Friday and Saturday. OBU senior guard Mahlon Martin averaged 21.5 points per game during the event and was named GAC men’s basketball player of the week. He scored a career-high 28 points in the Tigers’ win over Midwestern State.
