An 11-0 spurt early in the second half helped Arkansas Tech University complete a regular season sweep of Harding University by defeating the Bisons 70-63 in men’s basketball action at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Monday night.
The Wonder Boys (16-10 overall, 10-10 Great American Conference) led 36-30 at halftime. Harding scored the first two points of the second half, but the next 11 belonged to Arkansas Tech. When the run was over, the Wonder Boys led 47-32 with 16:14 remaining.
The Bisons (5-20, 5-15) battled back to tie the score at 55-55 at the 7:04 mark, and it was just a one-point Tech lead in the waning moments. That was when the Wonder Boys made two game-winning plays.
First was a 3-pointer by Josiah Thomas with 1:02 left that gave Tech a 66-62 advantage. Then, with 16 seconds left, Montrell Williams blocked a Harding layup try.
R.J. Glasper sealed the win by making 4-of-4 free throws in the final 25 seconds.
“That was two tired teams out there,” said Chad Kline, ATU head coach. “Those last 10 minutes, both teams were dragging. It was the third game in five days, and it was about who wants it more. I asked the guys to leave it all out there and we’ll take the result whatever it is. I’ll take winning ugly over losing pretty any day of the week.”
Glasper finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Brown added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Thomas had 12 points and Williams notched 11 points and eight rebounds.
Zac Ward scored a team-high 12 points for the Bisons.
The Wonder Boys will face the Ouachita Baptist Tigers for a 7:30 p.m. GAC contest at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
