A 50-day sprint to determine the 2015-16 Great American Conference regular season basketball champions begins on Thursday, Jan. 7, for Arkansas Tech University.
The Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys will travel to Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a league doubleheader Thursday, the first of 18 such doubleheaders between then and the end of February.
Arkansas Tech will remain in Oklahoma to face East Central University at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, in Ada.
The two-game road trip marks Tech’s first GAC games in more than a month.
The next home games for the Golden Suns and the Wonder Boys are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 16, when they will host Southern Arkansas University for 1 and 3 p.m. GAC contests at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
#23 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (6-2, 4-0 GAC) vs. SOSU Savage Storm (3-7, 1-3 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 7, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Bloomer Sullivan Arena, Durant, Okla.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 10-5
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech has been idle since a 71-64 loss at nationally fourth-ranked Drury University on Dec. 15. Both of the Golden Suns’ losses this season came on the road against teams currently ranked in the USA Today Sports NCAA Division II top 25 poll. Tech leads the GAC in scoring offense (83.4 points per game), field goal percentage (.472), 3-point field goal percentage (.359) and rebound margin (+5.5 per game). The Golden Suns won 2-of-3 meetings with Southeastern Oklahoma State last season, including a 68-62 victory over the Savage Storm in the semifinals of the 2015 GAC Tournament.
About the Savage Storm: Southeastern Oklahoma State has recovered from an 0-4 start to win three of its last six games. Four of the Savage Storm’s losses this season have been by five points or less. Southeastern leads the GAC in turnover margin (+3.6 per game) and free throw percentage (.758). The Savage Storm has won its last two home games against Arkansas Tech, defeating the Golden Suns in Durant 67-63 on Jan. 26, 2014, and 80-68 on Feb. 21, 2015.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (8-2, 3-1 GAC) vs. SOSU Savage Storm (4-6, 2-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Bloomer Sullivan Arena, Durant, Okla.
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 14-9
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech is on a seven-game winning streak, its longest such streak since it won nine consecutive men’s basketball games in January and February of 2012. The Wonder Boys lead the GAC in field goal percentage defense (.377) and rebound margin (+9.8 per game). Tech is 2-2 in road games against Southeastern Oklahoma State during the GAC era. Last season, the Wonder Boys defeated the Savage Storm 77-76 in Durant when senior guard Clarence Willard made a 35-foot shot at the buzzer. It was the beginning of a six-game winning streak that carried through the GAC Tournament championship game.
About the Savage Storm: A five-game losing streak has dropped Southeastern Oklahoma State’s overall record below the .500 mark. The Savage Storm has allowed its opponents to average 87.6 points per game during the five-game skid. Southeastern ranks among the GAC leaders in field goal percentage (3rd, .447) and blocked shots (T-2nd, 4.3 per game). The Savage Storm ranks last in the conference in turnover margin (-4.40 per game) and next-to-last in 3-point field goal percentage (.317).
