Alex Brown early and clutch free throws late allowed Arkansas Tech University to hand Ouachita Baptist University a rare home loss 89-85 on Saturday afternoon at Vining Arena in Arkadelphia.
Brown scored 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range. It was his fifth game with 20 or more points this season.
The Wonder Boys (17-4 overall, 13-4 Great American Conference) led 67-54 with 12:15 left. Ouachita Baptist (11-10, 9-8), winner of eight of 10 home games this season before Saturday, rallied and cut Arkansas Tech’s lead to 84-82 with 31.5 seconds left.
Freddy Lee put it away for the Wonder Boys by making 4-of-4 free throws over the final 22.5 seconds.
“Freddy was probably thinking about what video game he is going to play later tonight,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Chad Kline. “He’s just a basketball natural. He wasn’t thinking about missing those free throws at all.”
Lee finished with 13 points. Justin Graham had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Wonder Boys, who won their eighth consecutive game and maintained a share of second place in the league standings with five regular season games remaining. Branden Williams added 10 points.
Justin McCleary scored 22 points for the Tigers.
The Wonder Boys will host Harding University for a 7:30 p.m. GAC contest at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Monday, Feb. 13.
It will be Literacy Night at the coliseum. Elementary school students will receive free admission with a paid adult, and all elementary students in attendance will receive a free book.
In addition, Tyson Foods will serve free bratwursts with chips and drink to the first 600 fans in attendance, and the first 150 ATU students in attendance will receive a free T-shirt.
