RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech men's basketball team opened their 2026-27 season on the road as part of the GAC/MIAA Crossover Challenge on Friday afternoon and lost to (rv) Missouri Southern by a score of 68-54.
The Wonder Boys struggled on offense in the first half, shooting just 28% overall from the floor (9-of-32) and 2-of-13 from long range (15.4%). Despite that, the Wonder Boys did not trail by more than four points until the 6:48 mark of the first half when Missouri Southern hit a three to go up by five, 22-17.
By the 3:29 mark, the Lions had pushed the lead out to double-digits and built it out as high as 17 points before taking a 15-point lead into the locker room, 38-23.
The Wonder Boys would find their footing offensively in the second half and shot 50% overall, going 12-of-24 from the field, but it was not enough to really cut into the deficit as the Lions kept the Wonder Boys at a distance, leading by double digits throughout much of the second half.
Twice the Wonder Boys were able to get the game within single digits, but the closest they would come was seven points with just under five and half minutes to play. By the three and a half minute mark, Missouri Southern pushed the lead back out to double-digits and went on to win by 14.
Individually, the Wonder Boys would have a pair of players score in double figures with
JC Jones and
Christian Reid each scoring 11 points. Both also did so off the bench. Reid was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, while Jones was 4-of-6 overall and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Aiden Underdown led the team in rebounds with seven while
Jason Parent led in assists with four and steals with two.
The Wonder Boys will now prepare to play a second game in two days as they will take on Newman on Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m.
