Arkansas Tech University will honor 10 senior members of its 2016-17 basketball teams on the occasion of their final home games on Thursday, Feb. 16.
Six Golden Suns’ seniors — Danielle Frachiseur, Katrina Hayden, Kelsey McClure, Anissa Pounds, Calli White and Brianna Williams — and four Wonder Boys’ seniors — Justin Graham, Bennie Lufile, Grant Prusator and Branden Williams — will be recognized during Tech’s Great American Conference doubleheader against the University of Arkansas-Monticello.
An Arkansas Tech win in the men’s game would move the Wonder Boys into a tie for first place in the GAC standings with only three regular season games remaining.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Those with a valid Arkansas Tech identification card will be admitted free of charge.
#19 ATU Golden Suns (18-4, 14-4 GAC) vs. UAM Cotton Blossoms (11-11, 8-10 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 61-24
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech is in sole possession of second place in the GAC women’s basketball standings. The Golden Suns defeated UA-Monticello 82-57 on Jan. 21. Tech out-scored UAM 44-16 in points in the paint and finished with a 42-17 margin in rebounds. The Golden Suns have not lost to the Cotton Blossoms since 2009, and UAM has not defeated Tech in Russellville since 2006.
About the Cotton Blossoms: UAM has won three of its last five games to move into contention for a berth in the GAC Tournament. The Cotton Blossoms are tied for seventh place in the league standings. Only the top eight teams in the final standings will advance to the GAC Tournament March 2-5 in Bartlesville, Okla. UAM leads the GAC in 3-point field goal percentage (.359) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.268).
ATU Wonder Boys (18-4, 14-4 GAC) vs. #16 UAM Boll Weevils (19-3, 15-3 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 97-48
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech has won nine consecutive games, including a 91-90 victory over UAM on Jan. 21. The Wonder Boys rank third in NCAA Division II in 3-point field goals made (12.2) and 16th in the nation in scoring offense (88.6 points per game). Tech has made 268 3-point field goals this season. With 28 more made 3-pointers, the Wonder Boys would tie the single-season school record set by the 1994-95 Arkansas Tech team. The GAC record for made 3-point field goals in a season is 323, which was set by the 2015-16 Harding University Bisons.
About the Boll Weevils: UA-Monticello opened the 2016-17 season with 14 consecutive wins. Beginning with their loss to Arkansas Tech, the Boll Weevils are 5-3 in their last eight games. Southern Arkansas University upset UAM 73-58 on Monday night. The Boll Weevils committed 17 turnovers and made 3-of-21 attempts from 3-point range in the loss to the Muleriders. UAM is 7-1 on the road this season.
