Four teams with Great American Conference records above the .500 mark will display their talents during a doubleheader between Arkansas Tech University and Henderson State University at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday, Jan. 19.
It will be military appreciation night at Tucker Coliseum. All current military service personnel and veterans will receive free admission. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a small United States flag.
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.
#14 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns (11-2, 7-2 GAC) vs. HSU Reddies (7-8, 7-2 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: Tech leads 60-12
About the Golden Suns: Arkansas Tech’s 10-game winning streak ended on Monday with a 72-58 loss at Harding University. The Golden Suns matched their season low for 3-point field goals made (3) and were held below 40 percent shooting from the field for just the third time this season. Tech has won its last six women’s basketball meetings with Henderson State, including victories of 87-64 in Arkadelphia and 82-54 in Russellville last season.
About the Reddies: Henderson State is tied with Arkansas Tech for second place in the GAC women’s basketball standings. The Reddies have won three of their last four games. They defeated Ouachita Baptist 75-74 on Monday behind a game-winning jump shot by Torrie Thompson with nine seconds remaining. Thompson scored a career-high 20 points in the victory. HSU’s Pink Jones leads GAC freshmen in scoring and ranks No. 3 in the conference overall at 15.6 points per game.
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (9-4, 5-4 GAC) vs. HSU Reddies (11-4, 6-3 GAC)
When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Tucker Coliseum, Russellville
Radio/Internet: KCJC 102.3 FM/www.arkansastechsports.com
Series: HSU leads 78-73
About the Wonder Boys: Arkansas Tech is 6-2 in its last eight games. The Wonder Boys suffered a 92-85 loss at Harding University on Monday. Tech matched its season low in 3-point field goals made (8). Senior forward Bennie Lufile leads the GAC and ranks 18th in NCAA Division II in rebounding (10.4 per game). Lufile had a season-high 23 points and 10 rebounds at Harding. The Wonder Boys stopped a three-game losing streak to Henderson State by defeating the Reddies 78-65 in their most recent meeting on Feb. 18, 2016.
About the Reddies: Henderson State dropped a 76-60 decision at Ouachita Baptist on Monday. The Reddies lead the GAC in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.283) and turnover margin (+3.47 per game). Junior guard Kaylon Tappin ranks sixth in the GAC in scoring (16.9 points per game). He was held without a point at OBU, snapping a string of seven consecutive games in which he had reached double figures in scoring.