ATU Hoops Teams Prepare for OBU, SAU

A pair of familiar in-state Great American Conference foes are on the docket for Arkansas Tech University’s basketball teams during the first full week of February.

The Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will host Ouachita Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 7, before traveling to Magnolia to face Southern Arkansas University for a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Tickets for the home games on Thursday ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Free admission will be granted to those with a valid ATU identification card.

ATU Golden Suns (8-12, 5-9 GAC) vs. OBU Lady Tigers (6-14, 4-10 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 7, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 60-14

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech is part of a three-way tie for seventh place in the GAC women’s basketball standings with four weeks remaining in the regular season. Only the top eight teams in the final standings will advance to the GAC Tournament March 7-10 in Bartlesville, Okla. The Golden Suns defeated Ouachita Baptist 71-61 on Nov. 29. Senior forward Lyrik Williams scored a season-high 20 points in the win.

About the Lady Tigers: Ouachita Baptist has lost five of its last six games and the Lady Tigers are 2-8 away from home this season. They have lost their last five road games. Senior guard Alivia Huell (12.6 points per game) and junior guard Madison Brittain (12.3 points per game) are Ouachita’s leading scorers.

ATU Wonder Boys (8-12, 6-8 GAC) vs. OBU Tigers (8-10, 5-9 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville 
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 85-75

About the Wonder Boys: A four-game winning streak has propelled Arkansas Tech’s men into position to make their 12th consecutive postseason appearance. The Wonder Boys are in sole possession of eighth place in the GAC standings with eight regular season games remaining. If they can maintain that spot or higher, Tech’s men will be in Bartlesville, Okla., for the GAC Tournament beginning March 7. The Wonder Boys are averaging 13.6 made 3-pointers per game, most among the 655 teams that compete at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels.

About the Tigers: Ouachita Baptist is led in scoring by senior guard Mahlon Martin, who ranks seventh in the GAC at 15.7 points per game. Martin scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Tigers to an 86-81 victory over Arkansas Tech on Nov. 29. Ouachita is 1-7 in true road games this season, and the Tigers have lost three of their last four contests overall.