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Wonder Boys hold off Storm

Top-seeded Arkansas Tech overcame a 32.8 percent shooting performance Thursday in a 63-58 victory over eighth-seeded Southeastern Oklahoma State in the first round of the Great American Conference Tournament at Bruin Fieldhouse in Bartlesville, Okla.

The Wonder Boys (20-8) shot 19 of 58 from the floor and 7 of 25 from three-point range in their first game of the tournament. Arkansas Tech was led by Marshawn Arnold and Darrick Little, who each had 14 points.

Urald King and Taylor Smaller each had 16 points to lead the Savage Storm (9-17).

Arkansas Tech led 34-30 at halftime. It was tied at 56-56 with 2:33 remaining when Arnold’s layup gave the Wonder Boys a 58-56 lead. After the Savage Storm pulled within 60-58 on King’s two free throws, the Wonder Boys closed the game out at the free throw line. Clarke Overlander made two free throws for a 62-58 lead with 31 seconds left and after two missed field goal attempts by Southeastern Oklahoma, Bobby Hatchett made one of two free throws to set the final score.

The Wonder Boys will face Harding in a semifinal game at 2:15 p.m. Saturday.

HENDERSON STATE 65, ARK.-MONTICELLO 61

Taylor Smith hit a turnaround jump shot with 42 seconds remaining to give sixth-seeded Henderson State (13-16) a lead it would not relinquish in a victory over third-seeded Arkansas-Monticello (19-10).

It was the Reddies’ first postseason victory since beating Barry in the NCAA Division II tournament in 2007.

Deoirvay Johnson led Henderson State with 15 points. Reggie Murphy added 14 points and seven rebounds.

Sharif Hudson led the Boll Weevils with 17 points. Brandon Sims added 13 points.

S. ARKANSAS 63, SW OKLAHOMA STATE 59

Jeffrey Walker finished with16 points and eight rebounds to help seventh-seeded Southern Arkansas (12-15) upset second-seeded Southwestern Oklahoma State (17-10).

Walker broke a 59-59 tie with a floater in the lane with 32 seconds remaining. After Rod Camphor missed a three-point attempt, Duke Reed made two free throws to seal the victory for the Muleriders, who won their first post season game since 2000 in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.

Tyrell Taylor added 15 points and five assists for SAU. Chauncy Williams chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds.

Camphor scored a game-high 17 points for the Bulldogs.

HARDING 77, E. CENTRAL (OKLA.) 65

Hayden Johnson scored 24 points and Weston Jameson had 17 points and a career-high 11 assists to lead fifth-seeded Harding (13-14) past fourth-seeded East Central (Okla.) (15-12).

The Bisons entered the tournament on a five-game losing streak. But on Thursday, they made 12 three-pointers and Jameson made four of them.

Henry Pwono led East Central with a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds.

GAC Tournament At Bruin Fieldhouse, Bartlesville, Okla.

All times Central

MEN

THURSDAY’S GAMES First round (6) Henderson State 65, (3) Arkansas-Monticello 61 (7) Southern Arkansas 63, (2) SW Oklahoma State 59 (1) Arkansas Tech 63, (8) SE Oklahoma State 58 (5) Harding 77, (4) East Central (Okla.) 65

TODAY’S GAMES No games scheduled

SATURDAY’S GAMES Semifinals Henderson State vs. Southern Arkansas, noon Arkansas Tech vs. East Central/ Harding winner, 2:15 p.m.

SUNDAY’S GAME Championship, 1 p.m.

WOMEN

TODAY’S GAMES First round GAME 1 (3) SW Oklahoma State vs. (6) Henderson State, noon GAME 2 (2) East Central (Okla.) vs. (7) Southern Arkansas, 2:15 p.m. GAME 3 (1) Harding vs. (8) Ouachita Baptist, 5:45 p.m.

GAME 4 (4) Arkansas Tech vs. (5) SE Oklahoma State, 8 p.m.

SATURDAY’S GAMES Semifinals Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 5:45 p.m.

Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY’S GAME Championship, 3:30 p.m.

Sports, Pages 21 on 03/07/2014

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