Golden Suns, Wonder Boys to Visit Shawnee

Great American Conference basketball play resumes for Arkansas Tech University on Thursday, Jan. 4, with a road doubleheader at Oklahoma Baptist University.

After their visit to Shawnee, the Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will remain in Oklahoma for a 1 and 3 p.m. GAC doubleheader against Southern Nazarene University in Bethany on Saturday, Jan. 6.

ATU Golden Suns (7-1, 3-1 GAC) vs. OBU Lady Bison (6-4, 1-3 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Complex, Shawnee, Okla.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 5-2

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech defeated Lincoln University (Mo.) 93-55 in its final regular season non-conference game on Dec. 30. The Golden Suns matched their season high for 3-point field goals made (10) and forced the Blue Tigers into 31 turnovers. ATU’s leading scorers include freshman guards Jayana Sanders (14.6 points per game) and Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse (12.3 points per game). The Golden Suns swept Oklahoma Baptist last season, defeating the Lady Bison 75-66 in Shawnee and 91-65 in Russellville.

About the Lady Bison: Oklahoma Baptist earned a 70-60 non-conference win over Northeastern State University (Okla.) on Dec. 30. Senior forward Tasha Edge is the the reigning GAC women’s basketball player of the week. She has averaged 23 points and eight rebounds per game while connecting on 18-of-29 field goal tries over her last two games. Edge ranks among the top three in the GAC in scoring (17 points per game) and rebounding (9.1 per game) this season.

ATU Wonder Boys (9-1, 3-1 GAC) vs. OBU Bison (5-5, 2-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Noble Complex, Shawnee, Okla.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 5-3

About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech is on a seven-game winning streak. The Wonder Boys notched a 96-81 non-conference win at Missouri S&T on Dec. 31. Freshman guard R.J. Glasper matched his career high with 26 points and was named the GAC men’s basketball player of the week two days later. The Forrest City product ranks No. 2 among all NCAA Division II freshmen in scoring (17.5 points per game) this season. Arkansas Tech split its season series with Oklahoma Baptist in 2016-17, dropping a 93-87 decision in Shawnee before bouncing back with a 92-79 win in Russellville. The 2017-18 Wonder Boys lead the GAC and rank fourth nationally in 3-point field goals made (12.4 per game).

About the Bison: Oklahoma Baptist has won its last three games, the most recent of which was a 100-65 non-conference victory over Kansas Christian College on Dec. 16. Senior forward Chandler Rickey ranks among the GAC leaders in scoring (3rd, 18.6 points per game), rebounding (7th, 6.6 per game), field goal percentage (5th, .612) and blocked shots (1st, 2.4 per game). The Bison rank last in the GAC in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.392).