ADA, Okla. – The Arkansas Tech men's basketball team came up just short on the road in a back-and-forth affair at East Central on Saturday afternoon, losing by a score of 64-61.
Over the course of the 40-minute game, there were 11 tie scores, and the lead changed hands 15 times. Additionally, the largest lead either team had was eight points. That apex lead was achieved by the Wonder Boys at the 11:10 mark of the second half. By the 8:24 mark, however, East Central tied the game at 44-all.
The Wonder Boys would not relinquish their lead, but after having tied the game twice more, the Tigers got back in the lead at the 4:56 mark on a three-pointer. They would push their lead as high as five points at the 3:36 mark, but consecutive three-pointers from
Connor Davis gave the Wonder Boys a one-point lead, 55-54 with 2:23 left.
The Tigers then went on a 7-0 scoring run, going 4-for-4 from the free throw line and knocking down a three-pointer to give ECU a 61-55 lead with 41 seconds left. A 6-1 run by Tech that saw pair of quick three-pointers had Tech within a point, 62-61, with less than 30 seconds left.
ECU would go 2-for-4 from the free throw line to keep Tech alive, but they were unable to hit their final attempts from long range as the Tigers escaped with the win.
The Wonder Boys had two players score in double figures and were led by
David Elliott IV and his 23 points. Davis was next in scoring with 13 points.
Tech will now prepare to play their final home game of the season this coming Thursday against Henderson State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. With it being the final home game of the season, the Wonder Boys will celebrate the two seniors on this year's team. That ceremony is scheduled to take place at halftime of the women's game, which starts at 5:30 p.m.
