GAME INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS 9-16 (6-13 GAC)	EAST CENTRAL TIGERS 10-15 (7-12 GAC)
Sunday, February 23 | 3 p.m. Tucker Coliseum | Russellville, Ark. LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | ATU NOTES

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TIPPING OFF
With just three games left in the regular season, the Arkansas Tech men's basketball team is in a must-win situation in regards to qualifying for the GAC Tournament and are set to face East Central at home this Sunday.
 
This will be 44th meeting all-time between Tech and East Central. In a series that dates back to 1957, the series has been played in earnest since 2012 when they two became conference rivals. Overall, Arkansas Tech holds a 22-21 advantage in the series.
 
Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside Tucker Coliseum on the campus of Arkansas Tech. Live Stats and Live Video links are available at: www.arkansastechsports.com/coverage
 
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
The Wonder Boys are 9-16 overall and 6-13 in the GAC. They are coming off a 68-49 loss at home against Southeastern Oklahoma this past Friday.
 
Statistically, the Wonder Boys average 65.3 ppg and rank 11th in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Wonder Boys rank second in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 66.7 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, the Wonder Boys are 11th in the conference as they shoot at an overall clip of .427 (586-of-1,373) and allow their opponents to shoot at a .431 mark (577-of-1,340) to rank second.
 
From beyond-the-arc, the Wonder Boys shoot at a clip of .296 (150-of-507) to rank 12th in the GAC while their opponents make three-pointers at a mark of .350 (186-of-532) to rank eighth. From the free throw line, the Wonder Boys shoot .710 as a team (311-of-438) to rank ninth.
 
Individually, the Wonder Boys have two players averaging double figures in scoring and are led by Cassius Brooks and his 19.1 ppg. Carlos Ramsey Jr. is next and rounds out double-digit scoring at 10.9 ppg.
 
Seybian Sims is the team-leader in rebounding and is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game. In terms of assists, Kade Shaffer leads the team and is averaging 3.5 assists per game.
 
Defensively, the Wonder Boys are led in steals by Brooks at 1.6 steals per game and in blocks by Albright Obode at 0.8 blocks per game.
 
The Wonder Boys are coached by Mark Downey, who is in his fifth 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 ninth season overall, Downey has amassed a 144-110 record. Overall, Downey is in his 18th season as a head coach and has career record of 310-216.
 

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SCOUTING THE TIGERS
East Central is 10-15 overall and 7-12 in conference play. The Tigers are coming off a 95-55 loss on the road at Harding this past Friday. The Tigers are currently in 10^th place in the GAC standings and are two games back of eight place, which is the final spot for the upcoming conference tournament.
 
Statistically, the Tigers average 71.2 ppg and rank ninth in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Tigers rank seventh in the league in scoring defense, giving up an average of 72.4 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense, the Tigers are sixth in the conference as they shoot at an overall clip of .457 (635-of-1,390) and allow their opponents to post a .426 mark (642-of-1,508) to rank first.
 
From beyond-the-arc, the Tigers shoot at a clip of .325 (188-of-579) to rank ninth in the GAC while their opponents make three-pointers at a mark of .326 (206-of-632) to rank second. From the free throw line, the Tigers shoot .665 as a team (322-of-484) to rank 10th.
 
Individually, the Tigers have four players averaging double figures in scoring and are led by Bishop Jones and his 19.1 ppg, but Jones has not seen action since January 11. Nikk Williams is next 13.0 ppg followed by Mark Rucha at 10.9 ppg. Godsgift Ezedinma rounds out double-figure scoring at 10.5 ppg.
 
Williams is the team-leader in rebounding and is averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. In terms of assists, Rucah leads the team and is averaging 3.1 assists per game.
 
Defensively, the Tigers are led in steals by Rucha at 1.0 steals per game and in blocks by Williams at 1.0 blocks per game.
 
The Tigers are coached by Daniel Wheeler, who is in his third season at East Central. In his time at ECU, Wheeler is 41-41.