Box Score WONDER BOYS FALL SHORT IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT
 
MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Arkansas Tech men's basketball team. season came to an end this afternoon as the Wonder Boys fell short against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, 93-82 in the first round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament at Bearcat Arena on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Southwest Minnesota State (27-5) jumped out to an early 8-3 lead in the first three minutes in part to two three-pointers and three rebounds on both ends of the floor.
• Arkansas Tech cut the Mustangs' lead to one at the 14:40 mark of the first half thanks to a three-point basket by Justin Graham.
• The Wonder Boys went on to take the lead with 18 seconds left in the first half to head into halftime with a two-point lead, 48-46.
• Percentage wise, both teams were almost even heading into the half with Tech shooting 47.4% from the field and 43.8% behind the arc. Southwest Minnesota State shot 48.6% from the field and 44.4% from behind the arc in the first half.
• Arkansas Tech jumped out to a 50-46 lead to start the second half thanks in part to two free-throws by Bennie Lufile and a layup by Justin Graham.
• SMSU reclaimed the lead at the 16:59 mark of the second half and never looked back as they held the lead from that point forward in the contest.
• The Wonder Boys cut the Mustang lead down to six with 1:14 left in the game, but the late offensive spark fell short.
• The Mustangs went on to win the game 93-82 thanks in part to 25 points and 9 rebounds by Joey Bartlett to move on to the second round of the Central Region Tournament.
• Southwest Missouri State will face East Central tomorrow night at 7:30p.m. at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Mo.

NOTABLES

• Bennie Lufile led the stat line for the Wonder Boys with 15 total points and 9 rebounds. Lufile also shot 62.5% from the free-throw line.
• Justin Graham followed with 20 points and four rebounds, shooting 56.3% from the field.
• Southwest Minnesota State went to the free-throw line 27 times in the second half compared to their two visits in the first half. The Mustangs shot 87.5% from the line in the second-half.