Arkansas Tech University will conclude a road trip to the Sooner State by taking on Northwestern Oklahoma State University for a Great American Conference basketball doubleheader on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Both Arkansas Tech basketball teams will return home and make preparations for non-conference games after their visit to Alva, Okla. The Golden Suns will host the University of North Alabama for a 5:30 p.m. contest on Tuesday, Nov. 24, while the Wonder Boys will entertain Missouri Southern State University for a 3 p.m. game on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Those games will be played at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
#18 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (2-0, 1-0 GAC) at NWOSU Lady Rangers (0-3, 0-1 GAC)
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m.
Where: Percefull Fieldhouse, Alva, Okla.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 9-1
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech leads GAC women’s basketball in scoring offense (88.0 points per game), steals (10.5 per game) and turnover margin (+10.0 per game) so far this season. The Golden Suns swept two meetings from Northwestern Oklahoma State last season, defeating the Lady Rangers 66-57 in Alva and 61-51 in Russellville. Arkansas Tech is 2-0 to open its women’s basketball season for the third consecutive year.
About the Lady Rangers: Northwestern Oklahoma State is under the direction of first-year head coach Brett Vana, who spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Weber State University. The Lady Rangers rank last in the GAC in scoring offense (50.0 points per game). Northwestern Oklahoma State’s only win over Arkansas Tech was a 70-65 triumph in Alva on Jan. 2, 2014.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (1-2, 0-1 GAC) at NWOSU Rangers (0-3, 0-1 GAC)
When: Saturday, Nov. 21, 3 p.m.
Where: Percefull Fieldhouse, Alva, Okla.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 6-1
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech is setting the pace among GAC men’s basketball teams in rebound margin (+8.7 rebounds per game) and blocked shots (4.7 per game) during the 2015-16 season. Redshirt freshman guard Freddy Lee ranks No. 3 in the conference in assists (4.7 per game). The Wonder Boys have won all six of their GAC meetings with the Rangers since NWOSU joined the league in 2012.
About the Rangers: Northwestern Oklahoma State started the season with a pair of narrow defeats at the MIAA/GAC Challenge Nov. 13-14 in Durant, Okla. The Rangers suffered a 74-71 loss to the University of Central Oklahoma in the opener before dropping a 92-90 overtime decision to Northeastern State University the next day. Harding University topped NWOSU 82-63 in the GAC opener for both teams on Thursday night.
