RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Coming off a wild opening weekend of action, the Arkansas Tech men's basketball team heads to Southwestern Oklahoma for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff to get both teams' Great American Conference schedules underway.
SCOUTING THE WONDER BOYS
Tech (1-1, 0-0 GAC) gave its crowd just about all it could handle right off the bat this season, topping Northern State on a lay-in from freshman Freddy Lee in the final seconds last Friday. They followed that up by finishing regulation on a 13-3 run to force overtime before ultimately falling 80-78 to No. 9 Minnesota State Moorhead Saturday. Junior Marquis Yates is leading the team with 21.5 points per game after pouring in 30 against the Dragons — including all 13 in the late run to force overtime. Senior Nick Wayman added 9.0 points and led the team in rebounding each night, averaging 8.0.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Bulldogs (1-1, 0-0 GAC), who were picked to finish fifth in the conference by the preseason coaches poll, one spot behind Tech, hosted their own tournament as well, falling to Lindenwood 77-68 Friday before rebounded to top Nebraska-Kearney 79-72 on Saturday. Martell Collins was the only SWOSU player to score in double figures in both games, and is averaging 18.0 ppg after dumping in 21 against UNK. Juwan Newmen added seven points and 12 rebounds in that one, while Markeise Champion scored 21 on 7-of-12 shooting against Lindenwood
HISTORY LESSON
The two sides have met 24 times entering Thursday's contest, with the Wonder Boys holding a 15-9 advantage all-time, including winning 11 of the past 12 meetings. The lone SWOSU win since the two became GAC members was in Weatherford, Oklahoma during the 2013-14 season. Tech picked up three victories over the Bulldogs last year, including an 85-74 win in the conference semifinals.
NOTES
- The Wonder Boys ended last season on a 9-1 tear against GAC competition on their way to a conference tournament title.
- Coach Chad Kline got 12 different players on the court over the weekend, with 10 players averaging at least 12 minutes a game.
- Lee has totaled 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 4-of-6 from deep and 3-of-4 from the line, and is leading the team with 5.5 assists per game.
COVERAGE
The game will be carried live on 102.3 FM (KCJC) in Russellville, with live video, audio and statistics available at www.arkansastechsports.com.
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