In Monday’s win, 13th-ranked Tech broke a school record that had stood for 58 years as the Wonder Boys earned a 77 point victory over the Royals (1-8 on the season). The 78-point victory margin bettered the old record of 73 set against ASU-Beebe on Dec. 12, 1952. In that game, Tech defeated ASU-Beebe, 134-61.
Tech, who improved to 3-1 on the season with the win, used its defense to set up its offense in Monday’s game as the Wonder Boys forced a season-high 31 turnovers that led to 45 points and Tech held the Royals to 27 percent field goal shooting and nine percent (2-for-22) shooting from long distance.
“Our defense really carried our offense tonight,” Wonder Boys first-year coach Doug Karleskint said. “Since last year, we are really working harder on our defense. Our defense was solid throughout the game and we never let them gain any confidence.”
The Wonder Boys scored the game’s first 11 points and led 14-4 just a little over six minutes into the contest when the Wonder Boys put the game out of reach with a 40-6 run that pushed its lead to 54-8 following a three-pointer from junior guard Johnie Davis (Canton, Ohio) with 3:11 left in the first half. The Royals would outscore Tech, 8-5 to go into halftime trailing 59-16.
In the first half, Tech’s offense shot 62 percent from the field and 57 percent (8-for-14) from the 3-point line. On the night, Tech finished shooting 64 percent from the field and 54 percent from the 3-point line.
Sophomore guard Jared Williamson (Russellville, Ark.) scored 13 of his 17 points in the half, while senior guard Jeremy Dunbar (Niceville, Fla.) found his shooting touch as he scored 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. Dunbar, who finished the game with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, entered the game shooting 36 percent from the field and 24 percent from the 3-point line through the first three games this season.
In the second half, Tech’s offensive onslaught continued as the Wonder Boys shot 57 percent from the field and 50 percent from the 3-point arc after halftime.
After Ecclesia pulled within 62-20 on a free throw by Travis Smith just a little over two minutes into the second half, the Wonder Boys used a 22-4 run capped by a basket from senior guard Willie Sanders (Jacksonville, Fla.) with 12:47 left in the game to push Tech’s lead to 84-24.
Tech hit the 100 point 100 point mark the second time this season on a lay-up by Davis with 7:43 left in the contest. Tech’s eventually pushed its lead to 80 points at 114-34 following a three-pointer by junior guard Matt Haney (Dardanelle, Ark.) with 39 seconds remaining in the contest, before EC’s Phillip McCartney hit a trey with 24 ticks left on the clock to set the score.
Along with Williamson and Dunbar, other double figure scorers for Tech were Davis as he led the way with 18 points, including scoring 10 of those points in the second half, while Haney added a career-high 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field and senior forward Ridas Pulkauninkas (Ukmerge, Lithuania) added 11 points in the win.
“Matt (Haney) really brings a lot to the table. I feel comfortable putting him in the lineup because I know he’s going to be solid and do something positive every time he’s on the floor,” said Karleskint, who is now 3-0 at home in his coaching tenure with the Wonder Boys.
The Royals were paced by 13 points from Smith, while Greg Lang added eight points in the loss.
For the game, Tech held a 41-32 edge on the glass and outscored EC, 52-14 in the paint. In addition, Tech collected 23 steals, including six by senior forward James Causey (Tangipohoa, La.). Causey also added nine points and five boards in the win.
Tech will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 27, as the Wonder Boys travel to Livingston, Ala., for a 4 p.m. Gulf South Conference crossover game against West Alabama. Following the UWA game, Tech will travel to Carrollton, Ga., for a 6:30 p.m. contest on Monday, Nov. 29 at West Georgia.
-- Tech Athletics -
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