Arkansas Tech University will mark the conclusion of Wonder Week 2017 with its annual Gold Rush basketball games at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday, Feb. 9.
The Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will host Southern Arkansas University for the 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. contests.
Wonder Week is an annual spring semester celebration of school spirit sponsored by ATU Student Government Association. Free Gold Rush T-shirts will be made available to students with a valid ATU identification card on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies are exhausted.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Those with a valid Arkansas Tech identification card will be admitted free of charge.
#21 ATU Golden Suns (16-3, 12-3 GAC) vs. SAU Lady Muleriders (5-14, 3-12 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 65-9
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech leads the GAC in field goal percentage (.449) and rebound margin (+7.8 per game). Junior forward Cheyenne North (13.8 points per game), senior guard Kelsey McClure (13.6 points per game), senior guard Anissa Pounds (12.3 points per game) and senior forward Danielle Frachiseur (11.2 points per game) are the Golden Suns’ leading scorers. North has missed Tech’s last three games due to injury. The Suns defeated Southern Arkansas 66-49 in Magnolia on Jan. 14.
About the Lady Muleriders: Southern Arkansas has lost four consecutive games. The Lady Muleriders are second in the GAC in steals (8.3), but they rank last in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.293), 3-point field goals made (4.6 per game) and turnover margin (-2.63 per game). Freshman forward Kimberly Crown leads SAU in scoring (11.5 points per game) and rebounds (7.2 per game). The Lady Muleriders are 3-33 all-time in road games against Arkansas Tech.
ATU Wonder Boys (15-4, 11-4 GAC) vs. SAU Muleriders (9-12, 7-8 GAC)
When: Thursday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 93-69
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech has won six consecutive games, matching its longest winning streak during Chad Kline’s three years as head coach. Sophomore guard Alex Brown (15.1 points per game), senior guard Justin Graham (13.3 points per game), senior forward Bennie Lufile (12.6 points per game) and junior guard Montrell Williams (12.6 points per game) are Tech’s leading scorers. The Wonder Boys earned a 90-88 victory at Southern Arkansas on Jan. 14.
About the Muleriders: Southern Arkansas ranks second in the GAC in field goal percentage defense (.404). Sophomore guard CJ Elkins is sixth in the GAC in scoring (17.1 points per game). The Muleriders are 2-5 in road games this season. SAU earned its first men’s basketball win at Arkansas Tech since 2007 by defeating the Wonder Boys 83-80 on Jan. 16, 2016, at Tucker Coliseum.
