Game Notes

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech University men's basketball team opens Great American Conference (GAC) action this week with a pair of games in Oklahoma.  The Wonder Boys take on East Central this Thursday (Nov. 16) in a 7:30 p.m. tilt at ECU's Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla., before concluding the two-game league road trip this Saturday (Nov. 18) versus Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant, Okla.  Opening tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. at SOSU's Bloomer Sullivan Arena. 

SCOUTING THE WONDER BOYS

Arkansas Tech is off to a 2-0 start after picking up a pair of non-conference wins to open the season. Tech started the season off with a 114-105 win over Minnesota Crookston, then followed that up with a 86-67 win over Concordia-St. Paul. The Wonder Boys have averaged 100.0 points per game while holding opponents to just 86.0 points, and have been led by five players in double figures – Alex Brown (15.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Trevin Woods (15.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg); Harris Brown (14.5.0 ppg), RJ Glasper (14.5 ppg) and Montrell Williams (13.5 ppg).

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

East Central (0-0, 0-0 GAC) will open its 2017-18 season this Thursday (Nov. 16) hosting Arkansas Tech.  The Tigers, under fourth-year head coach Ja Havens, have played in three exhibition matches, falling to NCAA Division I opponents Oklahoma (114-78), New Mexico State (81-55) and Texas San Antonio (92-59).

Da'Rion King leads the team with 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, .565 (13-of-23) shooting, seven assists, one block and two steals. The Tigers are ranked No. 9 in the NCAA D2ADA Central Regional Poll and were picked third in the GAC Preseason poll.

SCOUTING THE SAVAGE STORM

Southeastern Oklahoma State (0-2, 0-0 GAC) plated in the GAC/MIAA Challenge this last weekend (Nov. 10-11) dropping a pair of season-opening contests. The Savage Storm, coached by seventh-year head coach Kelley Green, were dealt a 78-51 season-opening loss by Central Oklahoma this past Friday (Nov. 10) and dropped a 75-53 contest over Northeastern State in Saturday's (Nov. 11) tourney finale. 

Bobby Johnson is Southeastern's top scorer after averaging team high 12.0 points per game. The Savage Storm are averaging 57.0 points per game while opponents are scoring 76.5 points per game. SOSU, which was tabbed tenth in the 2017-18 GAC Preseason Poll, went 12-16 overall and 8-14 in conference play a year ago.

ALL-TIME SERIES

East Central leads Arkansas Tech 15-10 in the series and has won seven of the last eight contests.  The Tigers swept last season's series with a 76-73 home victory (1/7/17) and a 94-85 road win (2/23/17).  The Wonder Boys are 2-9 on the road, 7-5 at home, and 1-1 at neutral sites versus ECU.

The Wonder Boys have a 13-10 advantage over Southeastern Oklahoma and have prevailed in four of the last six matchups.  Tech notched a 97-83 home win over the Savage Storm (1/5/17) and then suffered a 89-81 road setback (2/25/17) in last season's action. Tech is 3-6 on the road, 7-5 at home, and 2-0 at neutral sites against SOSU.         

COVERAGE

Live audio, video and statistics for both Tech contests are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. The games will be broadcast live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville with Sam Strasner calling action.

-FIGHTON-