ATU Hoops Opens New Year in Oklahoma

Arkansas Tech University will embark upon its first Oklahoma road trip of the 2018-19 Great American Conference basketball schedule this week.

The Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will face Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant on Thursday, Jan. 3.

The ATU basketball teams will remain in the Sooner State for a doubleheader at East Central University in Ada on Saturday, Jan. 5. The ATU-ECU games are scheduled to begin at 1 and 3 p.m. on KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com.

Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (5-5, 2-2 GAC) vs. SOSU Savage Storm (5-4, 3-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Bloomer Sullivan Arena, Durant, Okla. 
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 11-5

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech swept its home-and-home women’s basketball series with Southeastern Oklahoma State during the 2017-18 season. The Golden Suns defeated the Savage Storm 78-64 in Durant on Nov. 18, 2017, and 67-65 in Russellville on Jan. 25, 2018. Lyrik Williams made 2-of-2 free throws with 0.4 seconds left to complete the season sweep.

About the Savage Storm: Southeastern Oklahoma State has been idle since dropping a 94-92 decision to Henderson State University on Dec. 18. It snapped the Savage Storm’s three-game winning streak and dropped Southeastern to 4-2 at home this season. Junior guard Katie Webb leads the GAC and ranks 22nd in NCAA Division II in scoring (20.9 points per game).

Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (2-8, 0-4 GAC) vs. SOSU Savage Storm (7-2, 3-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Bloomer Sullivan Arena, Durant, Okla. 
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 15-11

About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech went 2-1 against Southeastern Oklahoma State during the 2017-18 men’s basketball season. The Wonder Boys earned an 84-82 win in Durant when Montrell Williams made a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds remaining and blocked a desperation heave by the Savage Storm at the buzzer. R.J. Glasper made 6-of-6 free throws over the final 61 seconds to secure a 72-65 Tech victory in Russellville. Southeastern Oklahoma State bounced back to defeat the Wonder Boys 85-83 in the first round of the 2018 GAC Tournament.

About the Savage Storm: Southeastern Oklahoma State went into the holiday break stinging from an 80-65 loss to Henderson State on Dec. 18. It was the first home loss of the season for the Savage Storm, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end. Junior forward Kevin Buckingham (17.3 points per game) is SOSU’s leading scorer. He had 20 points in the Savage Storm’s GAC Tournament win over Arkansas Tech last season.