Points off turnovers pushed Ouachita Baptist University to an 82-78 Great American Conference men’s basketball win over Arkansas Tech University at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers (6-9 overall, 4-6 GAC) forced the Wonder Boys (11-6, 5-6) into 20 turnovers and held a 31-15 edge in points off turnovers.
Kendarious Smith led Ouachita with 22 points. Jontavis Willis added 17 points.
Tech’s Montrell Williams notched a season-high 26 points. He was 10-of-12 from the field and 6-of-6 at the free throw line. He also grabbed eight rebounds. Alex Brown added a season-high 24 points, while Freddy Lee and R.J. Glasper notched 10 points apiece.
There were 10 lead changes in the first half, the last of which came when Ouachita Baptist closed the half on an 8-0 run to take a 45-42 lead at halftime.
The Tigers carried that momentum over to the second half. They put together a 10-2 run that staked them to a 66-54 advantage with 9:38 remaining.
The Wonder Boys rallied and pulled within 79-78 on a 3-point play by Williams with 53 seconds left, but a missed layup and a turnover during Tech’s final two meaningful possessions stopped its comeback bid.
Willis made 2-of-2 free throws with 3.1 seconds left to set the final score.
The Wonder Boys will host Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a 7:30 p.m. GAC contest at Tucker Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 25.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Faculty, staff and students with their valid ATU identification card will be admitted free of charge.
