Tech, OBU Meet in GAC Play Thursday Night

Arkansas Tech University will conclude a stretch of three consecutive Great American Conference home doubleheaders when it hosts Ouachita Baptist University on Thursday, Jan. 12.

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.

After Thursday, the Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will venture to Magnolia for 1 and 3 p.m. GAC contests against Southern Arkansas University on Saturday, Jan. 14.

#13 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (9-1, 5-1 GAC) vs. OBU Tigers (7-5, 4-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 54-14

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech leads the GAC in scoring defense (59.8 points allowed per game) and field goal percentage defense (.339). Junior forward Cheyenne North (14.4 points per game) and senior guards Kelsey McClure (13.9 points per game), Anissa Pounds (10.4 points per game) and Calli White (10.3 points per game) are the Golden Suns’ leading scorers. Tech’s women have won five consecutive meetings with Ouachita Baptist, and the Suns are 30-3 all-time at home against the Lady Tigers.

About the Lady Tigers: Ouachita Baptist averaged 107.5 points per game while defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University last week in Arkadelphia. The victories extended the Lady Tigers’ winning streak to four games. OBU’s women are 7-0 at home and 0-5 away from Vining Arena this season. The Lady Tigers have not defeated Arkansas Tech since Jan. 9, 2014.

Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (7-3, 3-3 GAC) vs. OBU Tigers (6-4, 4-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 82-73

About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech’s four-game winning streak ended with a 94-85 loss to East Central University on Saturday. It was the Wonder Boys’ first home loss of the season. Sophomore guard Alex Brown (16.4 points per game), junior guard Montrell Williams (13.8 points per game), senior forward Bennie Lufile (13.0 points per game) and senior guard Justin Graham (10.9 points per game) are Tech’s leading scorers. Arkansas Tech stopped a three-game losing streak in its series with Ouachita Baptist by defeating the Tigers 85-73 on Feb. 11, 2016.

About the Tigers: Ouachita Baptist collected home GAC wins over Northwestern Oklahoma State University 74-70 and Southwestern Oklahoma State University 80-62 last weekend. Senior guards Lakee Westbrook (16.4 points per game) and Justin McCleary (14.3 points per game are OBU’s leading scorers. The Tigers were 19-13 overall and champions of the GAC Tournament last season.