Arkansas Tech University will begin the home portion of its 2015-16 Great American Conference basketball schedules by hosting league newcomer Oklahoma Baptist University for a doubleheader on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Located in Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist is in its first year as a provisional member of NCAA Division II and the GAC. Thursday will mark the first women’s basketball meeting between Tech and Oklahoma Baptist since 1988 and the first time the two men’s basketball programs have squared off since 1993.
Fans may gain admission to the games for just $1 by donating a canned or other non-perishable food item at the door. The gifts will be distributed to children in need in the Arkansas River Valley as part of the Arkansas Tech Department of Athletics “Fight On Against Childhood Hunger” campaign.
#20 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (4-1, 2-0 GAC) vs. OBU Lady Bison (2-3, 1-1 GAC)
When: Thursday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 2-1
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season, a 72-57 setback at Delta State University on Sunday. The Golden Suns have won 10 consecutive games at Tucker Coliseum, where they have an all-time winning percentage of .898. Thursday will mark the 500th Arkansas Tech women’s basketball game at Tucker Coliseum. Senior forward Fatima Adams (23.4 points per game) ranks fourth in scoring in NCAA Division II.
About the Lady Bison: Oklahoma Baptist has won more than 20 games in each of the last two seasons, including a 27-6 campaign last year that saw the Lady Bison reach the quarterfinals of the 2015 NAIA National Tournament. Sophomore guard McKenzie Cooper (18.0 points per game) is sixth in the GAC in scoring. She notched a season-high 28 points in a 77-74 win over Henderson State on Nov. 21.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (3-2, 1-1 GAC) vs. OBU Bison (3-1, 1-1 GAC)
When: Thursday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: OBU leads 4-0
About the Wonder Boys: Four of Arkansas Tech’s first five games in 2015-16 have been decided by three points or less, including a 75-72 non-conference win over Missouri Southern on Saturday. The Wonder Boys will host Oklahoma Baptist for the first time in the history of the series. All four of the previous meetings between the two programs either took place in Shawnee or at a neutral site. Junior guards Marquis Yates (14.0 points per game) and Tyler Corley (10.2 points per game) are Tech’s leading scorers this season.
About the Bison: Oklahoma Baptist leads the GAC in scoring defense (62.8 points allowed per game), and the Bison rank second in the conference in 3-point field goals made (9.8 per game). Junior forward Steven Green ranks seventh in the GAC in scoring (18.5 points per game) and third in the league in rebounding (8.0 per game). Oklahoma Baptist earned its second consecutive win by defeating Jarvis Christian 69-55 on Monday.
