Arkansas Tech University will conclude the home portion of its 2019-20 men’s and women’s basketball schedules this week with a pair of Great American Conference doubleheaders at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
After hosting Oklahoma Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 20, the Wonder Boys and the Golden Suns will entertain Southern Nazarene University for games at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 senior citizens and students) will be available at the Tucker Coliseum door. Those with a valid ATU identification card will be admitted free of charge.
Following its last homestand of the year, Arkansas Tech will visit Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Thursday, Feb. 27) and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Saturday, Feb. 29) for the final games of the 2019-20 regular season.
ATU Golden Suns (14-8, 11-7 GAC) vs. Oklahoma Baptist Bison (5-19, 1-17 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 9-3
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech will attempt to stop a three-game losing streak and clinch a berth in the women’s GAC Tournament on Thursday night. The Golden Suns can secure their 14th consecutive postseason appearance with a win or a Northwestern Oklahoma State University loss to Ouachita Baptist University. ATU’s last three opponents were a combined 34-of-64 (53 percent) from 3-point range. The other trend during the Golden Suns’ last three games has been rebounding. After ranking top 15 in NCAA Division II in rebound margin (+9.9 per game) through Feb. 6, Arkansas Tech has been out-rebounded by an average margin of 7.7 per game in losses to Southern Arkansas University, Harding University and the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Freshman guard Kaley Shipman (12.6 points per game), junior guards Jayana Sanders (11.1 points per game) and Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse (11 points per game) and freshman forward Sarah Heard (10.4 points per game) are the Golden Suns’ leading scorers. ATU defeated Oklahoma Baptist 91-64 at Shawnee on Jan. 11.
About the Bison: Oklahoma Baptist has lost five consecutive games by an average margin of 23.6 points. The Bison will miss the GAC Tournament for a second consecutive season and for the third time in the last four years. OBU ranks last in the GAC and 287th in the nation in scoring defense (77.5 points allowed per game). Senior guard Mckenzie Cooper ranks among the GAC leaders in scoring (9th, 13.8 points per game), 3-point field goal percentage (4th, .422) and 3-point field goals made (T-10th, 1.9 per game). A sixth-year senior, Cooper scored a career-high 37 points against Arkansas Tech on Jan. 4, 2018.
ATU Wonder Boys (12-12, 8-10 GAC) vs. Oklahoma Baptist Bison (16-8, 11-7 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 7-4
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech is part of a three-way tie for seventh place in the GAC men’s basketball standings. The top eight teams in the conference when the regular season ends on Feb. 29 will advance to the GAC Tournament March 5-8 in Bartlesville, Okla. The Wonder Boys are attempting to qualify for the postseason for the 12th time in the last 13 years. The average number of conference wins necessary to qualify for the men’s GAC Tournament since the league went to a 22-game conference schedule in 2015-16 has been 10.3. The cut line to make the postseason last season was 11 GAC wins. Arkansas Tech has lost six of its last seven games, but the Wonder Boys are 12-2 at home this season. Junior guard R.J. Glasper (17.5 points per game), senior forward Devante Foster (12 points per game) and freshman guard Dillon Gooding (11.5 points per game) are ATU’s leading scorers in 2019-20.
About the Bison: Oklahoma Baptist has won four of its last five games, including a 99-96 overtime victory over East Central University on Saturday. The Bison are 6-1 in contests decided by four points or less this season. OBU is third in the GAC in rebound margin (+4.8 per game) and 3-point field goals made (9.6 per game). Junior guard Jaquan Simms (13 points per game), junior forward Harrison Stoddart (11.4 points per game), graduate student guard Rashad Lewis (11.2 points per game) and senior forward Dishon Lowery (10 points per game) are the top offensive producers for the Bison. Stoddart was 6-of-8 from the field and scored 16 points in Oklahoma Baptist’s 75-61 victory over Arkansas Tech on Jan. 11.
