Wonder Boys Clinch Share of GAC Title

Nationally 20th-ranked Arkansas Tech clinched a share of the inaugural Great American Conference men’s basketball championship with a come-from-behind 84-79 victory over the Harding Bisons at Rhodes Field House in Searcy on Monday night.

The Wonder Boys (20-4 overall, 12-2 GAC) used a 23-2 run midway through the second half to turn an 11-point deficit into a 72-62 lead with 6:19 left.

It was just a matter of holding on from there, and Johnie Davis made two free throws with 9.4 seconds left to seal the win.

“I thought we started doing a better job of containing them and keeping them out of the middle of the lane,” said Tech head coach Doug Karleskint when asked how his team turned it around. “We had high hands on defense and forced them into some turnovers. That allowed us to get some easy baskets, and we hit some tough ones too. Anytime you come into this place and get out with a win, you are happy.” 

Davis matched his career high with 35 points, 20 of which came in the second half. Jared Williamson added 20 points, while Mykel Cleveland had 13 points, six rebounds and seven assists for Arkansas Tech.

The Wonder Boys clinched their 23rd 20-win season, including their fourth in a row. Arkansas Tech has now won nine consecutive games.

Hayden Johnson scored a team-high 19 points for the Bisons (13-11, 8-6).  

The Wonder Boys will visit Ouachita Baptist University in further GAC action on Thursday, Feb. 23. Tip-off at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Ouachita Baptist helped Arkansas Tech clinch a share of the GAC title by defeating Henderson State 93-86 in overtime on Monday night.

Radio station KWKK 100.9 FM will have the broadcast.

Click here to access an Internet stream of the broadcast.

Click here to learn more about Arkansas Tech men’s basketball.

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