Wonder Boys Extend Win Streak to Seven

R.J. Glasper matched his career high with 26 points to lead Arkansas Tech University to a 96-81 non-conference men’s basketball victory over the Missouri S&T Miners on Sunday at the Bullman Multi-Purpose Building in Rolla, Mo.

Glasper came off the bench and sparked the Wonder Boys (9-1) with three 3-pointers in a span of 43 seconds to give Tech a 22-13 edge with 12:13 to go before halftime.

The redshirt freshman from Forrest City scored 22 first-half points and the Wonder Boys led 50-33 at the intermission.

“We call R.J. a walking basket getter,” said Chad Kline, ATU head coach. “He’s got one thing on his mind when he comes in the game. Against a zone defense you aren’t always going to get layups. They were willing to give us open jump shots, and that’s our strength. I’ll take that all day, every day. I just wish I could have gotten R.J. to shoot it more in that first half.”

The 15-minute break for halftime did nothing to slow Tech’s momentum. Harris Brown made a 3-pointer and a 12-foot jumper in the lane followed by back-to-back 3-pointers by Freddy Lee. That 11-0 spurt over the first 2:51 of the half gave the Wonder Boys a 61-33 advantage.

Missouri S&T (2-8) pulled within 87-77 with 1:29 remaining, but a Mason Cline 3-pointer with 57.7 seconds left was the final dagger. Arkansas Tech made 4-of-6 free throws over the final 39.7 seconds to seal its seventh consecutive win.

Harris Brown finished with 17 points for ATU, while Cline notched 11 points. Alex Brown and Lee contributed 10 points apiece. Lee also had 10 assists against no turnovers over 32 minutes at point guard.

Arkansas Tech forced the Miners into 18 turnovers and held a 28-9 edge in points off turnovers.

Chris Harris scored a team-high 23 points for Missouri S&T.

The Wonder Boys will visit Oklahoma Baptist University for a 7:30 p.m. Great American Conference contest in Shawnee, Okla., on Thursday, Jan. 4. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.