GAME INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS 11-3 (7-1 GAC)	NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA RANGERS 7-7 (5-3 GAC)
Thursday, January 18 | 7:30 p.m. Tucker Coliseum | Russellville, Ark. LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | GAME NOTES

TIPPING OFF
The Arkansas Tech men's basketball team looks to get back on track this Thursday night against Northwestern Oklahoma after having their double-digit winning streak halted this past Saturday on the road.
 
This will be the 22nd meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and Northwestern Oklahoma in a series that dates back to the 1971-72 season. Overall, Tech leads the series, 14-7. Since the two became conference foes within the GAC prior to the 2012-13 season, the Wonder Boys are 14-6 against NWOSU.
 
As conference foes, the two teams met twice last season in the regular season with the series being split. Both teams won on their home court with NWOSU taking the initial meeting, 85-70, and Tech winning the following matchup, 88-79.
 
Tip-off for Thursday night's game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside Tucker Coliseum.
 

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TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
The Wonder Boys are 11-3 overall this season and are 7-1 in the GAC. Most-recently, the Wonder Boys had their 11-game winning streak and unbeaten record in conference play snapped by a mere point as they lost on the road at Southern Nazarene, 78-77.
 
Statistically, the Wonder Boys average 75.5 ppg and rank fifth in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Wonder Boys rank first in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 66.3 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, the Wonder Boys are fourth in the conference as they shoot at an overall clip of .471 (371-of-788) and limit their opponents to a .426 mark (312-of-732) to rank second.
 
From beyond-the-arc, the Wonder Boys shoot at a clip of .397 (117-of-295) to rank first in the GAC while their opponents make three-pointers at a mark of .337 (90-of-267) to rank seventh. From the free throw line, the Wonder Boys shoot .690 as a team (196-of-284) to rank ninth.
 
Individually, the Wonder Boys have three players averaging double figures in scoring and are led by Taelon Peter and his 19.2 ppg. Cassius Brooks and Tommy Kamarad are next in scoring at 12.0 and 11.6 ppg, respectively.
 
Josh Mitchell is the team-leader in rebounding and is averaging 6.4 rebounds per game. In terms of assists, Brooks leads the team and is averaging 3.0 assists per game.
 
Defensively, the Wonder Boys are led in steals by Peter at 2.4 steals per game and in blocks by Mitchell at 1.7 blocks per game.
 
The Wonder Boys are coached by Mark Downey, who is in his fourth season back on the sidelines at Tech after a 10-year hiatus. In his first stint, Downey patrolled the sidelines at Tech for four seasons from 2006-07 - 2009-10. In his final season, Downey guided the Wonder Boys to a program-record 30 wins and during that season, the Wonder Boys were ranked No. 1 in NCAA DII for the first time ever.
 
In his time at Tech, which is now in its eighth season overall, Downey has amassed a 121-90 record. Overall, Downey is in his 17th season as a head coach and has career record of 287-196.
 

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SCOUTING THE RANGERS
Northwestern Oklahoma is 7-7 overall this season and are 5-3 in GAC play. The Rangers currently have the longest winning streak in the GAC having won four-straight. This past week, the Rangers won their two games at home, beating Ouachita Baptist, 68-52, and Henderson State, 79-67.
 
Statistically, the Rangers average 70.5 ppg and rank eighth in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Rangers rank sixth in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 71.3 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, the Rangers are second in the conference as they shoot at an overall clip of .451 (348-of-771) and limit their opponents to a .447 mark (334-of-747) to rank sixth.
 
From beyond-the-arc, the Rangers shoot at a clip of .359 (103-of-287) to rank fifth in the GAC while their opponents make three-pointers at a mark of .330 (95-of-288) to rank fifth. From the free throw line, the Rangers shoot .715 as a team (188-of-263) to rank fourth.
 
Individually, the Rangers have two players averaging double figures in scoring and one just off the pace at 9.9 ppg. They are led by Camron McDowell and his 15.4 ppg. Brian Free is next and rounds out double-figure scoring at 14.4 ppg. Larry White follows at the aforementioned 9.9 ppg.
 
White is the team-leader in rebounding and is averaging 5.1 rebounds per game. In terms of assists, McDowell leads the team and is averaging 2.4 assists per game.
 
Defensively, the Rangers are led in steals by White at 2.0 steals per game and in blocks by White at 1.1 blocks per game.
 
The Rangers are coached by Robby Harman, who is in his second season as head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma. At NWOSU, Harman is 18-22.