First-half advantages in perimeter shooting and rebounding lifted Arkansas Tech University to a men’s basketball season-opening 74-71 victory over the University of Minnesota-Crookston on Saturday afternoon.
The Wonder Boys (1-0) knocked down 7-of-15 3-point attempts in the first half while limiting the Golden Eagles to 1-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc during that same time frame. Tech’s first-half rebounding edge was 24-11.
As a result, the Wonder Boys built a 42-22 halftime margin.
Minnesota-Crookston (0-1) rallied in the second half and pulled within 63-58 with 4:12 remaining, but Tech never relinquished the lead and R.J. Glasper made 5-of-6 free throws over the final 38 seconds to seal the deal.
Glasper and Alex Brown finished with 19 points apiece for Tech. Brown also collected 11 rebounds. Will Adler and Jacob Patterson added 10 points apiece in their ATU debuts.
The Wonder Boys will conclude their visit to St. Paul by taking on the Concordia University-St. Paul Golden Bears for a 2 p.m. non-conference contest on Sunday, Nov. 11.
