RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys might have needed five extra minutes, but go the distance to pick up the win over Ouachita, 68-66 in their regular season finale. Arkansas Tech has won all four of their overtime games. The win snaps a five-game losing streak and secure the No. 4 seed in the GAC Eastern Division.
Arkansas Tech and Ouachita traded points to open the game before a three-pointer from
Tony Hall gave the Wonder Boys a 9-6 lead with 12:35 to go in the first half of play. The Tigers got their own lead, 16-12, with 7:11 left in the half. Defense continued for both teams, with both Arkansas Tech and Ouachita allowing less than 25 points in the half. The Wonder Boys scored four or the six last points of the quarter to pull within two, 24-22, trailing by two going into halftime.
A layup from
Cameron Kennedy tied things up 29-29 with 16:14 to go in the second half. Ouachita grabbed a nine-point lead, 42-33, with 12 minutes left in the half before back-to-back threes from Hall and
Justin Briley cut the lead to three, 42-39 with 11:08 left. A three-pointer from
Cejay Mann gave the Wonder Boys their first lead of the half, 50-49, before another three-pointer from
Kimani Binder put Arkansas Tech up 53-49. Ouachita answered back, taking their own lead, 57-55 with 2:31 left before a jumper from Hall tied things at 57-57. The Tiger went up two, 61-59 with four second left before a jumper from Hall sent the game into overtime.
Mann opened the extra period with a three before Ouachita answered right back. Defense prevailed for both teams as neither team scored for two minutes until free throws from the Tigers tied things at 66-66 with a minute to play. Binder's free throws in the last 30 seconds proved to be enough, sealing the 68-66 victory for the Wonder Boys.
Mann led the way with 16 points followed by Hall with 15. Binder rounded out double-figure scoring with 10.
Niko Gosnell led, grabbing nine rebounds, followed by Kennedy with eight. Coach
Mark Downey earned his 250 win as a head coach in collegiate basketball in the victory.