RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - After a split to open Great American Conference play, the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys basketball team will play another non-conference contest on Saturday, returning to action against Missouri Southern at Tucker Coliseum. A 3 p.m. tip-off is scheduled.

SCOUTING THE WONDER BOYS
Arkansas Tech (2-2, 1-1 Great American Conference) has been involved in some close contests to open the year. After edging Northern State 81-80 in the season opener, Tech fell 80-78 in overtime to No. 9 Minnesota State Moorhead in the second game of the season. The Wonder Boys were outdueled in an 88-63 setback at Southwestern Oklahoma, but returned to the win column with a 70-69 win over Northwestern Oklahoma. Marquis Yates has been Tech's leading scorer at 15.3 points per game, while Nick Wayman's 6.8 rebounds per contest leads the Wonder Boys this season.

LOOKING AT THE LIONS
Missouri Southern (3-2) dropped its last contest to Rockhurst but has a win over #24 UAFS to its credit this season. Four players average double figures in points for Missouri Southern, led by Taevaunn Prince's 24.4 points per game. Prince has also been the most effective rebounder on coach Jeff Boschee's squad - grabbing 12.0 points per contest. The Lions have done some of their best work this season getting to the free-throw line. MSSU has shot 147 free throws to opponents' 119. 

SERIES HISTORY
Missouri Southern holds an all-time 18-7 advantage in the series between the two teams going back to the 1954 season. The teams were regular opponents from 1970 until the late '90s, but have only played four times since 2000. Missouri Southern has won seven straight against the Wonder Boys dating back to the 1995 season, with all but one of those meetings taking place in Joplin.

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.