Basketball fans will find a respite from the cold and snowy weather inside John E. Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday, Jan. 7, when Arkansas Tech University hosts East Central University for a Great American Conference doubleheader.
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.
#13 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (8-1, 4-1 GAC) vs. ECU Tigers (2-7, 1-4 GAC)
When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 1 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 9-5
About the Golden Suns: Senior guard Anissa Pounds extended her streak with at least one 3-pointer made to 40 consecutive games on Thursday night during Arkansas Tech’s 69-51 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She now has 219 career made 3-pointers, which is tied with Jenny Vining for third-most in Golden Suns’ history. Only Mindy Lasater (279 from 1998-2002) and Dawn Grell (270 from 1990-94) have made more 3-pointers for Tech’s women. The Suns have won seven consecutive games.
About the Tigers: All four of East Central’s GAC losses this season have been by seven points or less. The Tigers dropped a 74-67 decision at league-leading Harding University on Thursday. East Central ranks last in the GAC in scoring offense (55.8 points per game). ECU’s women are 1-6 all-time in road games against Arkansas Tech. The Tigers have not defeated the Golden Suns in Russellville since their first visit, a 74-67 ECU victory on Nov. 29, 1986.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (7-2, 3-2 GAC) vs. ECU Tigers (7-4, 3-2 GAC)
When: Saturday, Jan. 7, 3 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ECU leads 13-10
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech leads the GAC in scoring offense (89.0 points per game), turnover margin (+4.78 per game) and 3-point field goals made (12.0 per game). The Wonder Boys attempted a season-low 23 3-pointers and a season-high 28 free throws during their 97-83 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday. A win on Saturday would give Tech its first winning streak of five or more games since the Wonder Boys earned six consecutive victories in February and March 2015.
About the Tigers: East Central has bounced back from a four-game losing streak to begin the season by winning each of its last seven contests. The Tigers went to Searcy and handed Harding University its first home loss of the season 78-60 on Thursday night. ECU senior guard Braxton Reeves leads the GAC in scoring (21.7 points per game). East Central has won five of its last six meetings with Arkansas Tech. The lone exception during that span was the Wonder Boys’ 80-77 win over the Tigers in the 2015 GAC Tournament championship game.