ECU Stops Wonder Boys’ Winning Streak

Ben Brown-White’s career-high 19 points lifted East Central University to an 86-76 win over Arkansas Tech University in Great American Conference men’s basketball at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla., on Saturday afternoon.

Brown-White scored nine points during a 12-4 run that allowed the Tigers to take a 73-64 edge with 3:52 remaining in the second half.

East Central (8-4 overall, 4-2 GAC) salted it away by making 7-of-8 free throws over the final 1:16.

The loss snapped Arkansas Tech’s eight-game winning streak.

“We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds in the second half,” said Wonder Boys head coach Chad Kline. “We didn’t let them score on their first shot too many times. It felt like we hit the wall with about five minutes left. We were atrocious at the free throw line. They’re too good, especially on their home floor, to do that.”

The first half saw five ties and 11 lead changes. An 11-0 spurt staked Arkansas Tech to a 36-27 lead with 4:44 to go in the half, and the Wonder Boys went to the intermission with a 45-39 advantage after Marquis Yates banked in a 38-foot shot at the first-half buzzer.

Yates finished with 26 points and and Tyler Corley tossed in 18 points for Arkansas Tech.

The Wonder Boys (9-3, 4-2) will visit Ouachita Baptist University for a 7:30 p.m. GAC contest at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 14.

Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage.