When the game got fast Thursday night, Arkansas Tech University got going.
The Wonder Boys took down nationally 21st-ranked Southeastern Oklahoma State University 74-70 in Great American Conference play at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
Southeastern Oklahoma State (9-3 overall, 3-2 GAC) built an early 14-point lead and held a 39-28 edge at halftime.
Arkansas Tech (7-4, 3-2) went to its full-court press early in the second half, and that move to increase the tempo benefited the Wonder Boys. ATU went on a 19-5 run to take its first lead of the night at 51-49 on a Dillon Gooding layup with 12:29 to play.
The Wonder Boys’ margin ballooned to 10 points on a Tony Hall 3-pointer at the 7:01 mark. Back came the Savage Storm with seven unanswered points down the stretch to pull within 72-70 with 11.8 seconds remaining.
R.J. Glasper sealed the win by making 2-of-2 free throws with 4.9 seconds remaining.
“Southeastern is very talented, but they don’t play a lot of guys,” said Chad Kline, ATU head coach. “We wanted to try to wear them down with our depth. We only turned it over seven times. That has been our Achilles’ heel, and we made that an emphasis. We have to show up with urgency and desperation. We did that in the second half.”
Glasper finished with 22 points, including 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. It was his 29th career game with 20 or more points.
Tech’s Devante Foster matched his season high with 15 points.
Kayo Gonclaves paced the Savage Storm with 15 points.
Arkansas Tech will host East Central University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Tucker Coliseum. Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) 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.
