Game Notes

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys basketball team resumes Great American Conference play this week, heading west to Oklahoma to square off against Southeastern Oklahoma on Thursday and East Central on Saturday. Thursday's game with Southeastern Oklahoma tips off at 7:30 p.m. while Saturday's game at East Central starts at 3 p.m.

THE SAVAGE STORM SERIES
The Wonder Boys hold a 14-9 advantage in the series between the two teams, dating back to 1949. The series has gone the Wonder Boys' way since the formation of the Great American Conference, with Tech winning seven of ten meetings.

THE EAST CENTRAL SERIES
The Wonder Boys and Tigers have played 24 times with Tech holding a 14-10 advantage. The last two seasons have seen ECU take the upper hand in the series, with Tech's two wins coming in the postseason - the last coming in last year's GAC title game.

SCOUTING THE SAVAGE STORM
Southeastern Oklahoma enters this weekend's games with a 4-6 record, as well as a 2-2 mark in Great American Conference play. After a 4-1 start, Southeastern has dropped five straight, including a 102-71 loss at Ouachita Baptist. However, as the Savage Storm turn over the calendar to a new year, Southeastern looks to turn over a new leaf and snap its skid. The Savage Storm are led by Sami Bazi (16.9 ppg) and Anton Cook (15.4 ppg) on the offensive end of things, while Nathan Jackson (7.2 rpg) is the leading rebounder. 

FROM THE BLOCKS
Arkansas Tech and Southeastern Oklahoma are tied for second in the GAC with 4.3 blocks per game. 

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
East Central enters the weekend at 7-3 overall with a 3-1 mark in Great American Conference play. ECU's lone league setback came at the hands of Southern Arkansas back on November 19. Since then, ECU has won five of six, with only a one-point loss at Texas A&M-Commerce during that stretch. The Tigers faced off against Missouri-St. Louis on Jan. 2 and picked up a 91-87 win the last time out. ECU has been paced offensively by Stirling Thomas (24.3 ppg) while Braxton Reeves (14.4 ppg) has provided another threat from long-range, shooting 44.8 percent from 3-point land. Aly Hudgins is the Tigers' leading rebounder at 6.7 boards per game. 

PUT IT ON THE BOARD
East Central is the most prolific offense in the GAC, averaging 82.9 points per game. The Tigers' offensive pace will meet up with the Wonder Boys' stifling defense in a clash of styles. Tech's 70 points allower per game is the second-best mark in the league. 

GAME OF PERCENTAGES
ECU's fast-paced offense is bolstered by accuracy - ECU's 46.1 percent field goal percentage is the highest mark in the GAC. 

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.