WONDER BOYS CLOSE NON-CONFERENCE PLAY WITH DISAPPOINTING HOME LOSS TO NORTH ALABAMA

       RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Men’s Basketball closed out the non-conference portion of its 2007-08 schedule here Saturday by falling 94-74 to North Alabama at Tucker Coliseum.

With the loss, Tech, who fell to 9-4 on the season, snapped its four-game winning streak and its seven-game homecourt winning streak.

“We didn’t come out in the first half and match UNA’s intensity and that was the difference in the game,” Tech Head Coach Mark Downey said. “They hit some shots and jumped on us early and made us play from behind.”

The Lions, who fell 100-90 to Tech earlier this season in Florence, Ala., improved to 11-5 with the win, which was achieved thanks to its 53 percent shooting from the field for the game, including shooting 61 percent (22-for-36) from the floor in the second half.

UNA opened the game by scoring the first 10 points before Tech finally broke through on a lay-up by junior forward Troy Marcus (Bronx, NY) three minutes into the game. Following Marcus’ lay-up, UNA used a 19-8 run to jump out to a 29-10 lead just 11 minutes into the game. Tech, though, responded as it closed the first half outscoring the Lions, 23-11 to go into halftime trailing 40-33.

“I thought we had gained some momentum at the half, but we weren’t able to sustain it in the second half,” Downey said. “UNA was able to hit shots and was able to keep us at bay.”

In the second half, UNA used a 19-10 run in the first eight minutes out of the locker room to turn its 7-point halftime lead into a 59-43 advantage. Tech, though, used a 14-6 run to pull within 66-57 with 9:06 left in the game. The run was capped by a lay-up by Marcus. Marcus finished the night with a game-high 22 points for the Wonder Boys.

Following Marcus’ lay-up, the Lions used a 22-9 run to increase its leas to 88-66 with 3:41 left in the game. UNA would eventually push its lead to as much as 23 points on two occasions, before Tech closed the game scoring five of the final seven points.

          In addition to Marcus’ 22 points, Tech also got a season-high 14 points from sophomore guard Brandon Friedel (Victoria, Texas) and nine points and seven rebounds from sophomore guard John Clark (Marmaduke, Ark.).

          UNA’s attack was balanced as seven Lions reached double digits, led by 14 points apiece from Isaac Gay, Kenny Johnson and Quinn Beckwith. Thomas Fraise added 13 points and eight boards, while Andrew Chesney and Casey Holt added 12 points in the win. The final double figure scorer was Thomas Morris, who had 11 points.

          For the game, Tech shot 40 percent from the field, but was just 4-for-14 (29 percent) from long distance and shot 50 percent (10-for-20) from the free throw line, while UNA shot 53 percent from the floor and 55 percent (12-for-22) from the 3-point line. UNA held a 44-41 edge on the boards and both teams committed 12 turnovers on the night.

          The Wonder Boys will now wait a week to return to action as the Wonder Boys will open up Gulf South Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 12 at home against Henderson State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum.

         North Alabama Box Score

-- Tech Athletics --