Arkansas Tech University achieved the longest winning streak of Chad Kline’s three-year tenure as its head men’s basketball coach on Thursday night by defeating Southern Arkansas University 92-68 in Great American Conference play at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
It was the seventh consecutive victory for Arkansas Tech, which topped 90 points for a sixth straight game and improved to 11-1 at home this season.
The Wonder Boys (16-4 overall, 12-4 GAC) used a 14-4 surge midway through the first half to take control.
Trevin Woods sparked the run with a 3-pointer at the 9:40 mark of the opening period to give Tech a 29-23 edge. By the time Justin Graham made a free throw with 5:07 left, Arkansas Tech had increased its lead to 40-27.
The Wonder Boys made nine first-half 3-pointers and held a 53-36 advantage at the intermission.
Any thoughts of a Southern Arkansas comeback bid were quickly erased after Arkansas Tech forced the Muleriders to miss 11 of their first 12 field goal attempts to begin the second half. The Wonder Boys led by as many as 30 points before settling for a 24-point victory.
Arkansas Tech out-rebounded Southern Arkansas 48-36.
“I thought the difference in the game was rebounding,” said Kline. “They dominated us on the glass at their place. To finish with a plus-12 rebound margin against them says a lot about our players.”
Montrell Williams had a game-high 23 points for Tech. Freddy Lee contributed 15 points, and Bennie Lufile notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Graham finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
De’Sean Dockery scored a team-high 19 points for the Muleriders (9-13, 7-9).
The Wonder Boys will face Ouachita Baptist University for a 3 p.m. GAC contest at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia on Saturday, Feb. 11. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live play-by-play coverage.
