Brown’s Heroics Win It for Wonder Boys

Alex Brown’s offensive rebound and reverse layup with 0.4 seconds remaining kept Arkansas Tech University’s postseason hopes alive with an 89-87 win over Oklahoma Baptist University at the Noble Complex in Shawnee, Okla., on Thursday night.

The Wonder Boys (10-15 overall, 8-11 Great American Conference) trailed 45-42 at halftime and by as many as 13 points in the second half.

Arkansas Tech, the NCAA Division II national leader in 3-point field goals made per game, turned to its strength to get back in the game.

The Wonder Boys made 7-of-8 3-point attempts during one stretch late in the second half. They took their first lead since the opening moments of the game when Will Adler made his 100th 3-pointer of the season at the 2:52 mark. Tech held an 84-81 edge.

The Bison tied it at 87-87 on an Antonio Wade free throw with 10.8 seconds remaining. Tech’s R.J. Glasper dribbled into the front court and went to the right wing. His 3-pointer fell short, but he left Brown with enough time to play hero ahead of the buzzer.

Harrison Stoddart’s desperation heave for Oklahoma Baptist was no good, allowing the Wonder Boys to remain one game behind Ouachita Baptist University in the race for the eighth and final berth in the GAC Tournament with three regular season games remaining.

“I thought R.J. got a good look, but when it came up short it turned into a scramble drill,” said Chad Kline, ATU head coach. “A lot of time in that situation the defense just turns and looks to see if it goes in, and luckily Alex went to the glass. I’m proud of our guys. We stayed the course.”

Ramses Sandifer scored a career-high 22 points for Arkansas Tech, including 17 points in the first half.

Glasper finished with 18 points and Brown had 15 points for ATU. Mason Cline added 13 points and Josiah Thomas contributed 10 points.

Stoddart finished with a season-high 25 points for the Bison (13-12, 12-7), while Wade finished with 24 points.

The Wonder Boys will take on nationally 15th-ranked Southern Nazarene University on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Sawyer Center in Bethany, Okla.

Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. Live coverage will be available from radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com.