Arkansas Tech University will begin a string of four consecutive Great American Conference basketball doubleheaders away from home when it visits Harding University on Thursday, Jan. 17.
The Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will also travel to Henderson State University (1 and 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19), Southwestern Oklahoma State University (5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24) and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (1 and 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26) during the upcoming series of road contests.
Tech’s next games at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, against East Central University. Seven of ATU’s final 10 GAC doubleheaders this season will be played at home.
ATU Golden Suns (5-9, 2-6 GAC) vs. HU Lady Bisons (10-4, 5-3 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 17, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Rhodes-Reaves Field House, Searcy
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 48-13
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech was 3-0 against Harding last season, including a 63-62 victory over the Lady Bisons in the 2018 GAC Tournament championship game. The Golden Suns will arrive in Searcy on a five-game losing streak, their longest since 2013-14. Junior Hannah Villines (12.2 points per game) and sophomore Jacie Higgins (11.9 points per game) are Tech’s leading scorers.
About the Lady Bisons: Harding earned double-digit wins over Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Nazarene last week to improve to 6-0 at home this season. The Lady Bisons have won 85 percent of their home games (137-25) since the beginning of the 2006-07 season. Seven of their home losses during that span have come against Arkansas Tech. Sophomore Kellie Lampo (17.4 points per game) is Harding’s leading scorer in 2018-19.
ATU Wonder Boys (3-11, 1-7 GAC) vs. HU Bisons (5-9, 3-5 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rhodes-Reaves Field House, Searcy
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 74-57
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech is averaging 12.4 made 3-pointers per game, second-most in NCAA Division II. Senior Will Adler (54-of-131, 41 percent) has been the Wonder Boys’ most prolific perimeter shooter this season, while senior Alex Brown (30-of-65, 46 percent) has been their most accurate. Sophomore R.J. Glasper scored 35 points at Harding last season to lead the Wonder Boys to a 98-94 victory. It was the first win at Rhodes-Reaves Field House for Tech’s men since 2014.
About the Bisons: Harding suffered a fifth consecutive defeat on Saturday when Southern Nazarene defeated the Bisons 85-60. All three of Harding’s GAC wins this season have come by two points or less. Senior JV Long, a transfer from Cameron University, leads the Bisons in scoring at 12.3 points per game. Harding ranks last in the GAC in 3-point field goal percentage (.312).
