Arkansas Tech used a hot start to the second half to rally for an 85-78 win over the Lambuth University Eagles at Pepper Bray Court in Jackson, Tenn., on Saturday.
Lambuth led 42-37 at halftime, but a basket from James Causey and a 3-pointer by Willie Sanders allowed Arkansas Tech to tie the score at 42-42 with 19:15 left.
That started a 21-7 Wonder Boys’ spurt that put them in front 58-49 with 14:03 to go. Tech made nine of its first 12 field goal tries in the second half and eventually built a 69-57 edge with 9:50 to go.
The Eagles came back to tie the score 72-72 on a Teshawn Byron free throw at the 4:38 mark, but Laithe Massey (photographed) answered with a 3-point play to give the Wonder Boys the lead for good with 3:42 left.
Massey’s layup plus free throw sparked an 8-0 run that made it 80-72 Tech with 2:06 remaining. Tech put it away by making 5-of-6 at the free throw line over the final 35.1 seconds.
Johnie Davis was 8-of-12 from the field and led the Wonder Boys (6-2) with 20 points. Sanders hit 5-of-6 from 3-point range and scored 17 points.
Massey scored all 12 of his points after halftime. He also made nine assists. James Giles and Jeremy Dunbar added 11 points apiece for Arkansas Tech.
Nakeem Floyd paced Lambuth (2-5) with 17 points.
The Wonder Boys will return home to face two Gulf South Conference East Division members this week.
Tech will host Alabama-Huntsville in a rematch of the 2010 GSC Tournament championship game at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16.
North Alabama will visit the Wonder Boys for a 7:30 p.m. contest on Friday, Dec. 17.
Both games will be played at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
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