Suns, Wonder Boys Ready for Homestand

Arkansas Tech University will play its first home basketball games of the 2019 calendar year when it welcomes a pair of Great American Conference foes to Tucker Coliseum in Russellville this week.

Doubleheaders are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 10, against Southern Nazarene University (5:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Jan. 12, against Oklahoma Baptist University (1 and 3 p.m.).

Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Those with a valid ATU identification card will be admitted at no charge.

ATU Golden Suns (5-7, 2-4 GAC) vs. SNU Crimson Storm (4-8, 3-3 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 10, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: ATU leads 14-3

About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech will look to snap a three-game losing streak, the most recent of which was a 61-59 setback at East Central University on Saturday. Junior guard Hannah Villines (12.3 points per game) and sophomore guard Jacie Higgins (12 points per game) are the Golden Suns’ leading scorers. Tech is 4-2 at home this season. The Golden Suns lead the GAC in offensive rebounds (14.4 per game) and rank second in the league in rebound margin (+5.4 per game).

About the Crimson Storm: Southern Nazarene stunned Henderson State University 85-74 at the Sawyer Center in Bethany, Okla., on Saturday. The loss dropped the Reddies out of sole possession of second place in the GAC standings and allowed the Crimson Storm to complete a 2-0 week. Senior guard Madeline Schroepfer scored a career-high 26 points in SNU’s victory over HSU. Sophomore center Abby Niehues averages 3.1 blocked shots per game for the Crimson Storm and leads the GAC in that category.

ATU Wonder Boys (2-10, 0-6 GAC) vs. #15 SNU Crimson Storm (12-2, 5-1 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tied 5-5

About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech continues to lead NCAA Division II in 3-point field goals made (12.6 per game). Sophomore guard R.J. Glasper (19.8 points per game) and senior guards Will Adler (15.3 points per game) and Alex Brown (13.2 points per game) are the Wonder Boys’ leading scorers. Tech will try to stop an eight-game losing streak, its longest in men’s basketball since January 2007.

About the Crimson Storm: Southern Nazarene is the defending GAC regular season and postseason champion. The Crimson Storm edged Arkansas Tech 85-82 in Bethany, Okla., and 81-75 in Russellville last season. SNU has won three consecutive games, including an 84-72 triumph over Henderson State on Saturday. The Crimson Storm leads the GAC in turnover margin (+2.71 per game).