RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Playing in front of over 900 area elementary school kids from Dardanelle, Dover and Pottsville, the Arkansas Tech men's basketball team earned a win on Monday afternoon in their final non-conference tune-up, beating the University of the Ozarks by a score of 67-46.
With youthful energy pulsating through the crowd from the outset, the Wonder Boys (2-4) wasted no time in getting off to a quick start against the Eagles (5-1), who were playing the game as an exhibition.
Tech would open with a 9-0 lead over Ozarks by the 17:25 mark thanks to a quick five points from
Tommy Kamarad on a three pointer and two free throws and four points from Russellville native,
Taelon Peter, on a pair of free throws and a highlight reel dunk.
A few minutes later, Ozarks got their offense going and pulled as close as two points of the lead at the 14:23 mark. The Wonder Boys would not relinquish the lead and by the 7:39 mark of the first half had built up their lead to double digits, 24-14.
By the end of the half, the lead for the Wonder Boys was 15 points, 34-19.
In the second half, the Wonder Boys remained in firm control leading by double digits for the entirety of the final 20 minutes. The lead swelled as high as 21 points, 65-44, with 2:47 left and the final margin would also be 21 points as the final score was 67-46.
All 14 healthy and available players saw action in the game for the Wonder Boys with 11 scoring. Peter led the team in scoring with 17 points. Behind him and rounding out double-figure scoring was
Wes Harris as he scored 10 points.
With non-conference play now concluded, the Wonder Boys will shift their attention towards a challenging 22-game Great American Conference slate that will begin this coming Thursday night at home against Arkansas-Monticello. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
