SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist (11-11, 8-8 GAC) was held to its lowest point total of the season, falling 65-55 to Arkansas Tech (12-10, 10-6 GAC) inside the Noble Complex on Thursday night. The win snaps OBU's five-game winning streak versus ATU, having not lost to the squad since 2019.
The Bison were held to a 40% shooting clip for the game and charted just 20 points in the closing half after netting 36.8% of their shots.
Arkansas Tech out-rebounded OBU 37-26 and led over half the game, but the matchup didn't start that way.
Despite shooting lower than the opposition in the inaugural half, the Bison returned every punch ATU threw. Oklahoma Baptist hopped on to an early 11-4 lead, keeping its distance until an Andre Leavell layup put Tech within two (17-15).
OBU stretched its lead back to a comfortable margin following a couple of Ethan Scott buckets, but Tech never went away.
ATU finally made it over the hump with four minutes remaining, taking an 29-28 advantage. The Bison went scoreless for the next 1:03 while the Wonder Boys mounted a 7-0 run, good for an eight-point cushion.
Oklahoma Baptist tied the game at 35, but a late free throw granted Tech a one-point lead going into the break.
The squad from Arkansas never let the Bison reclaim the reins in the second half, even with a 3-14 showing from downtown. OBU knotted the score four times in the half but were denied access each time as the Wonder Boys picked up tonight's victory.
Ricky Brown finished with a team-high 15 points on 50% shooting, while D.J. Freeman scored 12 points and brought down six rebounds.
Ethan Scott poured in eight points, including two triples, and Trey Green finished with six.
OBU returns to the hardwood on Saturday to face Harding at 3:00 p.m. The Bison beat HU (5-17, 1-15 GAC) 64-62 earlier this season.
