Arkansas Tech University redshirt freshman guard R.J. Glasper saved his best for the most critical moments in a 114-105 Wonder Boys’ victory over the University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Friday night.
Glasper scored eight points and made an assist to fuel a 12-1 run over a span of two minutes late in the second half. When the surge was over, Arkansas Tech had turned a 98-98 tie into a 110-99 lead with 2:46 left to play.
The Wonder Boys maintained at least a seven-point lead the rest of the way and went on to win their fifth consecutive season opener.
A product of Forrest City and transfer from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Glasper finished with 26 points in his Arkansas Tech debut. Montrell Williams added 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor, while Trevin Woods notched 15 points and nine rebounds.
Harris Brown (14 points), Alex Brown (13 points), Leonardo Edwards (12 points) and Mason Cline (11 points) rounded out a group of seven Wonder Boys who reached double figures in scoring.
Arkansas Tech finished with a 45-28 edge in rebounds and made 60 percent (46-of-77) of their field goal attempts.
Harrison Cleary scored a game-high 31 points for Minnesota-Crookston (0-1), 25 of which came in the first half. The Golden Eagles led 59-54 at halftime, but they missed eight of their final 10 field goal tries at crunch time while the Wonder Boys made eight of their final 10 shots from the floor.
Arkansas Tech will host the Concordia University-St. Paul Golden Bears for an 8 p.m. non-conference game at Tucker Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 11. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
