Arkansas Tech head men’s basketball coach Doug Karleskint has waited all season for his Wonder Boys to put together a complete 40-minute effort. He received it at a most opportune time on Thursday night.
The Wonder Boys used a plus-18 rebound margin and a big second half from Johnie Davis to upset the nationally 14th-ranked Christian Brothers Buccaneers 59-45 at Canale Arena in Memphis, Tenn.
Arkansas Tech (11-3 overall, 2-0 Gulf South Conference) led 20-19 at halftime. Christian Brothers (13-3, 1-1) scored the first four points of the second half, but the Wonder Boys used a 17-2 spurt to take a 37-25 edge with 14:14 remaining.
CBU got back to within 37-30, but Tech answered with seven straight points and the Buccaneers were out of comeback tries.
Tech’s Davis scored all 19 of his points after halftime. He was 8-of-14 from the field. Laithe Massey added 13 points, five rebounds and three steals.
The Wonder Boys out-rebounded Christian Brothers 42-24, and Tech held a 42-18 edge in points in the paint.
Scott Dennis had 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Buccaneers, who fell to 8-1 at home this season.
The Wonder Boys will continue GSC play by hosting the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils at 6 p.m. Saturday at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
Tickets will be available at the door. Those with a valid Tech identification card will be admitted free.
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