Muleriders Make Plays Late, Top Wonder Boys

A late drought from the field by Arkansas Tech University allowed Southern Arkansas University to come from behind and earn an 80-76 Great American Conference men’s basketball win at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday.

The Wonder Boys (10-4 overall, 4-4 GAC) took a 69-68 lead on a Freddy Lee 3-pointer with 4:45 left. It was the final field goal made by Arkansas Tech for more than four minutes, and the Muleriders (7-7, 3-5) took advantage by going on a 9-1 run to claim a 77-70 edge with 32 seconds left.

R.J. Glasper made a 3-pointer, a layup and a free throw to pull Arkansas Tech within 79-76 with 12.7 seconds left, but SAU’s Aaron Lucas made 1-of-2 free throws one second later to set what proved to be the final score.

The Wonder Boys, fourth in the nation in 3-point field goals made at 12.8 per game, were 8-of-34 from 3-point range on Saturday. It was a season low in made 3-pointers for ATU, which suffered a third consecutive loss.

“We’re not going to quit,” said Chad Kline, Wonder Boys head coach. “This team is still going to do some good things. We’re in a rut right now, and we just have to get it fixed.”

Montrell Williams scored a team-high 18 points for Arkansas Tech. Glasper finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Alex Brown notched 14 points, Trevin Woods had 13 points and Lee contributed 11 points.

C.J. Elkins scored a game-high 21 points for the Muleriders, who won their third consecutive game. SAU made 11-of-24 attempts from 3-point range, including 6-of-9 in the second half.

The Wonder Boys will face Harding University for a 7:30 p.m. GAC contest at Rhodes-Reaves Field House in Searcy on Monday, Jan. 15. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.