A 31-12 edge in points off turnovers catapulted Ouachita Baptist University to an 83-63 victory over Arkansas Tech University in Great American Conference men’s basketball at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Thursday night.
The Tigers (9-11 overall, 6-9 GAC) forced the Wonder Boys into 15 first-half turnovers and built a 45-29 edge at the intermission.
Ouachita put the game away by making nine of its first 12 field goals to begin the second half. The Tigers opened a 70-44 edge at the 11:06 mark and maintained at least a 16-point margin the rest of the night.
“They scored 26 points off our turnovers in the first half…that’s the ballgame right there,” said Chad Kline, ATU head coach. “I knew (Ouachita) would be desperate tonight, and I thought we would be equally desperate. We are a fragile team right now. We have seven games left to figure it out.”
Kendarious Smith and Allie Freeman paced Ouachita with 17 points apiece.
Dillon Gooding scored 16 points for Arkansas Tech, which suffered a fourth consecutive loss. Ke’Lyn Adams added 12 points and Albert Odero notched 10 points.
The Wonder Boys (11-10, 7-8) will welcome Southern Arkansas University to Tucker Coliseum in Russellville for a GAC contest on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 senior citizens and students) will be available at the door. Those with a valid ATU identification card will be admitted free of charge.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
