Game Notes

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The No. 22 Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball team will look to stay unbeaten in Great American Conference play as they will close out a four-game road stretch against Ouachita Baptist Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. in Arkadelphia.

GUNNING FOR 200
Golden Suns head coach Dave Wilbers could be looking at a coaching milestone Thursday night. Wilbers currently holds a 199-52 record (.793) with the Golden Suns and is aiming to return to Russellville with his 200th win.

THE TIGERS SERIES
The Golden Suns (8-2, 6-0 GAC) will be playing the Tigers (5-7, 2-4 GAC) for the 79th time in the history of program dating back to 1977. Tech has had the Tigers number lately in the series as it has won five straight and 18 of the last 20 matchups since 2007. The last time the Golden Suns and Tigers played each other in Arkadelphia, Arkansas Tech held on to a 66-61 victory.
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
After a tough 1-5 start to the season, Ouachita Baptist has played some better basketball as of late by winning four of its last six games. The Tigers also play tougher at home with a 4-2 overall record and 1-1 in GAC play. OBU is led by junior forward Katie Kapler (14.8 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game), who has been hot as of late for the Tigers scoring 71 points in the last three games. The two other offensive threats for the Tigers include senior guard/forward Breanna Harris (12.5 ppg, 20 assists) and sophomore forward Kori Bullard (10.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg).
 
BATTLE ON THE BLOCK
The matchup will feature one of the best forward matchups in GAC play. Tech's Fatima Adams (19.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg) and OBU's Katie Kapler are two of just three players in the entire GAC that are in the top 10 in both scoring and rebounding. Adams is ranked third in scoring and second in rebounding while Kapler is 10th in scoring and tied for sixth in rebounding.
 
THREE-POINT SEPARATION
While the Golden Suns like to spread the floor, the Tigers will likely try to win the game on the low block. OBU ranks dead last in the GAC in three-point field goal percentage (.253) while Tech is the best three-point shooting team in the conference (.356). Despite the struggles from the arc, the Tigers still take their fair share of threes as they rank third in the GAC in three-point field goal attempts (273).

SIZABLE DIFFERENCE
The Tigers may run the offense through the low post, but rebounding could play a major factor on the block as well. The Golden Suns have the top ranked rebounding team in the GAC (+5.7 rebound margin) while the Tigers have been outrebounded this season (-2.6 rebound margin).

BROADCAST
The games will be broadcast live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville. Sam Strasner (play-by-play) and Kelly Davis (commentary) will be on the call. Live stats and video for both games are also available at www.arkansastechsports.com.