MBB GAME NOTES: AT ARKANSAS TECH - DECEMBER 12, 2024

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies first meeting versus Arkansas Tech tips off tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
 
The Reddies make their way into Russellville after an impressive 2-0 road trip versus Southeastern and East Central. The Reddies were the only Arkansas-based school to win both games on their Oklahoma road trip to open the season.
 
On the road the Reddies averaged 70.5 ppg while holding East Central to a season low 58 points. In the first game of the road trip Jimmy Elgas and his squad found themselves down eight at the half. The Reddies stormed back with 50 percent shooting from deep in the second half while holding Southeastern to just 33 percent from behind the arc. Freshman Rondae Hill knocked down the biggest shot of the season with a pull up three with just seconds remaining. Hill is now averaging 11.8 ppg since entering the starting lineup.
 
The Reddies are currently top 20 in steals per game, fastbreak points per game, and top 25 in field goal percentage in Division II.
 
The Reddies are looking to bounce back versus the Wonder Boys after dropping their previous two meetings but are an even .500 in their previous 10 games.
 
The Wonder Boys dropped both of their matchups to begin GAC play on their trip to Northwestern and Southwestern. Arkansas Tech sits at 10^th in the GAC with a 3-5 record. Arkansas Tech lost by double-digits in both games. The Wonder Boys had high expectations coming into the 2024-25 season after a 25-7 campaign last season.
 
The Wonder Boys leading scorer Cassius Brooks scored 32 points versus Northwestern and 26 versus Southwestern. Brooks is averaging 21.8 ppg this season while shooting 87 percent from the free throw line on 77 attempts.
 
As a team the Wonder Boys are averaging 71.5 ppg while outscoring their opponents on points off turnovers with 14.6 ppg. Defensively Arkansas Tech is forcing 14.6 turnovers per game and holding their opponents to 70.3 ppg.
 
Head coach Mark Downey is entering his ninth season as head coach of the Wonder Boys, posting a 138-99 record. Downey has been a member of the Arkansas Tech coaching staff for two stints and is entering his fifth season during his second stint as head coach.
 
Players to Watch:
 
Nehikhare Igiehon averaged 18 ppg and six rebounds while shooting 65 percent from the field.
 
Matthew Mayes did a little bit of everything on the Reddies 2-0 road trip. Mayes averaged 13.5 ppg and eight rebounds while leading the team in stocks (steals+blocks) with six.
 
Henderson State Men's Basketball tips off versus Arkansas Tech tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.