Postseason Push Shifts Into High Gear for ATU

It has been more than a decade since the basketball postseason went on without representation from Arkansas Tech University.

A large ATU home-court advantage this week when Harding University (5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14) and the University of Arkansas-Monticello (1 and 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16) visit Tucker Coliseum in Russellville would assist the Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys in extending that streak.

Tickets for both doubleheaders ($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 (10-12, 7-9 GAC) vs. HU Lady Bisons (16-6, 11-5 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 14, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 49-13

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech has won four of its last five games to vault into sole possession of seventh place in the Great American Conference women’s basketball standings with six regular season games remaining. The top eight teams at regular season’s end will qualify for the GAC Tournament. The Golden Suns are seeking their 13th consecutive postseason appearance. Tech defeated Harding 68-67 in Searcy on Jan. 17. Junior Kiara Moses made the game-winning 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining in overtime.

About the Lady Bisons: Harding is 7-1 since that home loss to Arkansas Tech. The Lady Bisons have won four consecutive games, the most recent of which was a 79-75 home victory over Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday. Harding is tied for second place in the GAC standings. The Lady Bisons lead the league in scoring defense (60.5 points allowed per game) and field goal percentage defense (.353).

ATU Wonder Boys (8-14, 6-10 GAC) vs. HU Bisons (5-17, 3-13 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville 
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 75-57

About the Wonder Boys: Consecutive losses to Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas University last week dropped Arkansas Tech’s men below the cut line to make the GAC Tournament. The Wonder Boys are in ninth place, one game behind eighth-place Ouachita, with six regular season games remaining. Tech’s men are in search of their 12th consecutive postseason berth. Two of the Wonder Boys’ top five scorers — sophomore R.J. Glasper and senior Mason Cline — were sidelined during the OBU and SAU games due to injury. Tech defeated Harding 86-72 in Searcy on Jan. 17. The Wonder Boys were 15-of-32 (47 percent) from 3-point range in the win.

About the Bisons: Harding has lost 13 consecutive games. The Bisons’ struggles can be traced to the offensive end of the floor. Harding ranks at the bottom of the GAC in scoring offense (69.8 points per game), field goal percentage (.419) and 3-point field goal percentage (.312).