Another year of home conference doubleheaders begins on Saturday for the Arkansas Tech University basketball programs with a remarkable streak still intact.
The Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys have not been swept in a home conference basketball doubleheader since Jan. 25, 2007, when Delta State University came to Tucker Coliseum and took two games.
Since then, Arkansas Tech has hosted 103 consecutive conference basketball doubleheaders — 32 of which came in the Gulf South Conference from 2007-11 and the last 71 of which have come as members of the Great American Conference from 2012-present — without suffering an 0-2 appearance under the dome of Tucker Coliseum.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) for the ATU-Henderson State University twin bill will be available at the door on Saturday. Admission will be free with a valid ATU identification card.
Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (3-2, 1-0 GAC) vs. HSU Reddies (4-1, 1-0 GAC)
When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 64-13
About the Golden Suns: Shot selection has been one of the cornerstones of Arkansas Tech’s success under head coach Dave Wilbers over a span of 12 seasons. The Golden Suns are shooting 46.2 percent from the field through the first five games of 2018-19. Arkansas Tech’s field goal percentage has been 42 percent or higher during each season of the Wilbers era, with the best shooting team during that span being the 2010-11 Golden Suns. They shot 50.5 percent from the field for the season.
About the Reddies: Henderson State has been bolstered through the early portion of the 2018-19 season by increased offensive output from junior guard Hailey Estes. The Conway product is averaging a team-best 17.4 points per game this season after averaging 10.6 points per game as a sophomore in 2017-18 and 11.8 points per game as a freshman in 2016-17. The Reddies lead the GAC in field goal percentage (48.5 percent).
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (2-3, 0-1 GAC) vs. HSU Reddies (4-2, 0-1 GAC)
When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: HSU leads 80-75
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech’s R.J. Glasper is disproving the myth of the sophomore slump. After becoming the first men’s basketball player named All-GAC first team as a freshman in 2017-18, Glasper is averaging 22.8 points and 5.8 assists per game through the first five games of 2018-19. His 25-point performance against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday marked his 17th career game with 20 or more points, three of which have come this season. Senior guard Alex Brown (17.6 points per game) and junior guard Will Adler (15.6 points per game) are also averaging double figures in scoring for the 2018-19 Wonder Boys, who make their home debut against HSU.
About the Reddies: Henderson State is 4-0 in home and neutral site games and 0-2 in true road games during the 2018-19 season. The Reddies opened conference play with a 94-71 loss at Southern Arkansas University on Thursday. The Muleriders out-rebounded Henderson State 42-26. It marked the first time this season that the Reddies have lost the battle on the glass. Sophomore guard Chris Parker is HSU’s leading scorer at 13.4 points per game. He had 20 points at SAU.
