RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys will look to snap their two-game losing streak this weekend, as Tech takes on Southeastern Oklahoma State and East Central in Great American Conference action. The Wonder Boys will host the Savage Storm on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. contest and the Tigers on Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
COVERAGE
Live statistics, video and audio for both games are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. The games can also be heard live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville with Sam Strasner calling the play-by-play.
ALL-TIME SERIES
In a series that started in 1949, Tech leads the all-time series against Southeastern, 14-10. The Wonder Boys have won seven of the last ten meetings and are 7-5 against Southeastern at Tucker Coliseum. Tech took the first meeting earlier this season with an 84-81 win for the Wonder Boys in Durant.
The Tigers hold a 15-11 advantage in the all-time series against Tech that began in 1957. East Central has dominated the series recently as the Tigers have a current six-game winning-streak and have also won eight of the last nine meetings. Tech's last win over ECU came during the 2014-15 season in the GAC tournament, when the Wonder Boys defeated East Central 80-77.
SCOUTING THE WONDER BOYS
After starting the season 10-1, Arkansas Tech (11-6, 5-6 GAC) has dropped five of its last six contests. The Wonder Boys lead the conference and rank 11
th in Division II in scoring with just over 88 points per game. Tech is 12
th in the GAC in points allowed but sixth in average scoring margin (+3.8). The Wonder Boys rank second in the conference in 3-point field goal defense (.307), rebounding offense (40.2), while ranking third in turnover margin (+1.76). Tech also leads the GAC in made 3-pointers per game, averaging 12.1 3-pointers a game.
R.J. Glasper leads the Wonder Boys with 18.2 points per game. Glasper ranks fourth in the GAC in scoring, while he leads the conference in free throw percentage (.933).
Montrell Williams averages 12.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while
Alex Brown is producing 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds. Brown ranks sixth in the conference in rebounding.
Freddy Lee leads the GAC and is ranked fourth in the country with a 4.00 assist-to-turnover ratio.
SCOUTING THE SAVAGE STORM
Southeastern Oklahoma (9-7, 8-3 GAC) has won five of its last six contests, including a 75-73 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State on Jan. 18. The Savage Storm rank sixth in the conference in scoring defense, and seventh in the GAC in field goal percentage defense, rebounding offense, rebounding defense and assists.
Markell Henderson leads the Savage Storm and ranks 11
th in the conference with 15.4 points per game. Kevin Buckingham averages 13.7 points and 5.9 boards per contest, while Jett Jobe ranks seventh in the GAC with 4.6 assists per game.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
East Central (9-6, 7-4 GAC) has lost three of its last four games, including a 101-93 loss to Northwestern Oklahoma State on Jan. 20. The Tigers came away with a 90-86 overtime victory in the first meeting against Tech this season.
East Central ranks second in the conference in scoring (86.9) and boast the fourth best scoring margin (+8.1) in the GAC. ECU ranks third in the conference in field goal percentage (.501), 3-point field goal percentage (.407), and assists/turnover ratio (1.3). The Tigers .501 field goal percentage is the 14
th best in Division II.
On offense, East Central is led by Camron Talley's 16.1 points per game and Da'Rion King's 13.5 points per game. King also leads the conference in rebounding at 7.9 boards per game. Brett Cannon averages 11.3 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game and 5.5 assists per game, which is the second best in the GAC.
-FIGHTON-