The greatest 3-point shooting team in Great American Conference history had one last show for the fans at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Saturday afternoon.
Arkansas Tech University broke school and GAC records for 3-point field goals made in a game as part of a 115-102 season-ending win over Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
The Wonder Boys (12-16 overall, 10-12 GAC) made 26-of-52 3-point shots to break the previous school record of 20 made treys in a game and the GAC mark of 21 made 3-pointers that was established by Harding University on Dec. 18, 2014.
Arkansas Tech finished the 2018-19 season with 389 made 3-pointers, most in single year in GAC and ATU history. The Wonder Boys led all of NCAA Division I and Division II in 3-point field goals made per game (13.9) this season.
“We battled until the end,” said Chad Kline, who completed his fifth season as ATU’s head men’s basketball coach. “We never laid down, and that’s all you can ask in this life. There’s no need to ever cry over spilled milk. It’s always next play, next game, next day.”
Arkansas Tech was eliminated from GAC Tournament contention on Feb. 23. The Wonder Boys, who went 7-4 over the final 11 games of the season, won their final two contests after learning that their streak of consecutive postseason appearances would end at 11.
“I’m proud of the way we responded after we learned our fate,” said Kline. “The reason this season didn’t unfold on us was our seniors. They held it together.”
Seniors Freddy Lee and Alex Brown had 30 points apiece in their final game. Lee established a new career high. The pair was a combined 15-of-24 from 3-point range on Saturday.
Two of their fellow seniors — Mason Cline (15 points) and Will Adler (11 points) — also reached double figures in scoring in their final appearance in the green and gold.
Reserve senior guard Tobin Johnson had a career-high four points. The Van Buren product also grabbed two rebounds and made two steals.
Sophomore R.J. Glasper added 22 points and five assists for the Wonder Boys.
Arkansas Tech led 68-48 at halftime and by as many as 30 points in the second half before finishing with a 13-point victory.
Chris Braggs Jr. scored a career-high 25 points for SWOSU, which finished its season 5-23 overall and 2-20 in the GAC.
