Ouachita Baptist downs Arkansas Tech for GAC Title - Mar 11, 2013
BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Ouachita Baptist scored its third successive upset as the fifth-seeded Tigers ended Arkansas Tech's reign as Great American Conference Men's Basketball Champions with 59-54 victory on Sunday from Bruin Fieldhouse.
Tournament MVP Colt Fason (6'6''-G) scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Tigers (17-12) claimed their first-ever mens basketball conference title at the NCAA Division II level.
After an opening 20 minutes that saw neither team grab larger than a four-point advantage, Ouachita Baptist ultimately seized control of the title game when Micah Delph hit back-to-back 3-point field goals as part of an 8-0 run that gave the Tigers a 46-37 lead. Arkansas Tech (18-11) clawed to within two in the final minute but the Tigers held on for the win and denied the Wonder Boys a second-straight GAC Tournament title.
For the third straight day, the Tiger defense carried the way. Arkansas Tech shot just 35.7 percent and for the entirety of the GAC Championship, Tiger opponents shot just 35.8 percent from the floor and 25.5 percent from the 3-point arc.
GAC teams hopeful of postseason play will learn their fate during the NCAA Division II selection show. It airs at 9:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com. Harding ranked fourth in Wednesdays Central Region poll and Arkansas Tech checked in at No. 10. The Wonder Boys made the Sweet 16 a year ago while the Bisons last advanced to the postseason in 2011.
Player of the Year:Kori Forge (6'0''-PG-90) of Ark.-Monticello All-Tournament MVP:Colt Fason (6'6''-G) of Ouachita Baptist Defensive Player of the Year:Charles Mells (7'0''-C) of Arkansas Tech Freshman of the Year:Tony Cochran (5'9''-PG-93) of Harding Newcomer of the Year:Willie Kirkland (6'4''-G-89) of Arkansas Tech Coach of the Year:Andrew Brown of NW Oklahoma St.
