Box Score RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Ouachita Baptist University Tigers moved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the Great American Conference on Thursday, as Ouachita defeated the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys 64-57.
Ouachita claimed the first lead of the game after a layup from the nation's leader in field goal percentage,
Tirrell Brown. Five minutes later, the Wonder Boys stole their first lead with a two-pointer by DJ Jethroe that put Arkansas Tech ahead 7-6. Ouachita immediately took the lead back, however, maintained its lead throughout the first half.
With 7:34 remaining in the first half, Ouachita's
Jontavis Willis knocked down a three-pointer that sparked a 20-4 run over the next five minutes to put the Tigers ahead 35-18. Willis and
Colt Fason led the charge with six points each to give Ouachita the 17-point lead with two minutes to play in the half.
After two converted free-throws from Arkansas Tech's Nick Wayman, the Tigers took a 35-20 lead into halftime.
The Tigers dominated in every statistical category in the first half. Ouachita posted a 57.7 field goal percentage and out-rebounded the Wonder Boys 22-13. The Tigers also recorded six more second-chance points than ATU.
Arkansas Tech (4-4, 0-1) opened the second half on a 9-0 run to bring to score to 35-29 with 17 minutes to play.
Micah Delph put a stop to the run, however, with 15:17 remaining when he converted on a desperation three-pointer taken with three seconds remaining on the shot clock.
Despite multiple runs by the Wonder Boys in the second half, Ouachita held its lead and never let Tech within five points. In the final two-and-a-half minutes, Arkansas Tech forced Ouachita to keep its lead from free-throw line. The Tigers netted 10-15 from the line in the final 2:27 to win the game 64-57.
Delph, who recorded a game-high 17 points in the victory, was 6-6 from the free-throw line with all attempts coming in the final two minutes. Delph also dished out three assists during the contest.
Fason followed Delph with 10 points and 10 rebounds, giving Fason his second double-double of the season.
Brown grabbed a game-high 11 boards in the game, five of them on offense. He also added nine points on 4-8 shooting, three assists and two blocks.
The Tigers (5-1, 1-0) will travel to Magnolia, Ark. on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a game against the Southern Arkansas Muleriders. Ouachita's second GAC game of the season is set to begin a 4 p.m.
