Tyler Corley’s tip-in at the final buzzer gave Arkansas Tech University a 64-62 Great American Conference men’s basketball victory over Oklahoma Baptist University at Mabee Arena in Shawnee, Okla., on Thursday night.
The Bison tied the score 62-62 on a Caleb Norris 3-pointer with 9.2 seconds remaining. The Wonder Boys (11-9 overall, 6-8 GAC) went without a timeout, attempting a quick counter-attack with Corley at the controls.
Corley fed Tyrone Haughton in the low post. Haughton’s layup was no good, but Corley swooped in from the left side of the rim to tip in the game-winning points as the horn sounded.
“I saw some confusion at first,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Chad Kline when asked to describe the final seconds of the game. “I didn’t want to call a timeout because it would give them a chance to change their defense. We didn’t have the right personnel on the floor for the play that we ran, but Corley made a play. We made second-effort plays all night.”
Corley finished with 17 points. Andrew Guillory added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Wonder Boys, who have won two of their last three games.
Vladimir Nemcok had 23 points and eight assists for Oklahoma Baptist (5-13, 1-13), which suffered its 10th consecutive loss.
The Wonder Boys will face Southern Nazarene University for a 3 p.m. GAC contest in Bethany, Okla., on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.
