Nationally second-ranked Arkansas Tech used turnovers to fuel an 88-67 Gulf South Conference win over the Henderson State Reddies at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday night.
The Wonder Boys (15-0 overall, 2-0 GSC) forced the Reddies into 33 turnovers while committing just nine of their own. Tech turned that advantage into a 45-9 edge in points off turnovers as it won its 14th consecutive home game.
Henderson State (7-8, 0-2) led 30-21 with 6:51 left in the first half, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Arkansas Tech’s Willie Sanders sparked the Wonder Boys.
Those six points were the beginning of a 30-10 half-ending run by Arkansas Tech that put it in front 51-40 at halftime.
The Wonder Boys maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way as they earned their fifth straight win over the Reddies.
Renard Allen led five Tech players in double figures in scoring with 16 points. Laithe Massey had 14 points and five assists, while James Causey and Brandon Friedel netted 13 points apiece. Marcus Pillow added 11 points.
Henderson State’s Kyle Oldham led all scorers with 21 points. HSU’s Lance Smith had 18 points and 17 rebounds.
The Wonder Boys will head to Searcy on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. contest against the Harding Bisons. Russellville radio station KWKK 100.9 FM and www.athletics.atu.edu will have live play-by-play coverage from Rhodes Field House.
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