(#3) DBU (1-3, 0-0 LSC) at ARKANSAS TECH (0-2, 0-0 GAC)
November 20 | 6:00 PM | Russellville, AR | Tucker Coliseum
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MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE
Video: ATU Athletics YouTube
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
X: DBUBasketball
Instagram: dbubasketball
Facebook: DBU Athletics
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LAST TIME OUT
DBU welcomed Colorado Mesa, Colorado Christian, and St. Edward's to The Burg Center last weekend for the South Central Region Challenge. Each school played two games, and DBU split its weekend, falling to Colorado Mesa in a heartbreaker on Friday before earning its first victory of the season over Colorado Christian the next day.
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There were nine lead changes across Friday night's game. DBU led 44-42 going into the break, but surrendered their advantage right as the second half started. The Patriots wouldn't regain the lead until TJ Thomas hit a go-ahead three with 5:13 left in the game, making it 73-71. Thomas and AJ Borden added to the lead from the free throw line as Mesa kept it a one-possession game. With DBU up by two, Mesa's Ty Allred sank a three from the top of the key as the clock flashed red zeroes, giving the Mavericks their first win of the season, 78-77.
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Dr. Blake Flickner's battalion was able to secure its first win of the season less than 24 hours after Friday's loss, in the form of a 39-point blowout win. Four different Patriots finished in double figures, led by Trevor Frank's 11. DBU's relentless defense forced Colorado Christian to turn the ball over a whopping 35 times Saturday. One of the most eye-catching stats thus far into the season is that the Patriots egregiously outperformed the Cougars in points-off-turnovers, 49-2.
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PATRIOT STORYLINES
New Heights: DBU entered the season ranked No. 3 in the country by the NABC. It is the highest preseason ranking in program history.
Doctor's Note: The reigning Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year, Dr. Blake Flickner, holds a career coaching record of 376-218.
Defend The Belt: The Patriots were picked to win the Lone Star Conference in the LSC preseason poll.
Quick Draw: DBU is currently second in the country in steals per game (14.8), and they lead the country in turnovers forced per game (26.5).
Separation: The Patriots lead the country in average turnover margin, with a +13.5 clip.
Charity Stripe: DBU leads the Lone Star Conference in free-throw attempts per game, but is shooting just 63% from the line as a team.
It Takes a Village: Cody Stevens (third), TJ Thomas (sixth), Xavion Brown, Drew Calderon, and Trevor Frank (all tied for ninth) each sit inside the top ten in the LSC in total steals.
First 20: DBU has held the lead going into halftime in all four games so far this season.
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SCOUTING ARKANSAS TECH
- In the 2024-2025 season, the Wonderboys posted a 12-17 record, and their season ended in the first round of the GAC tournament against the No. 1 seed Southern Nazarene.
- DBU defeated then-ranked No. 24 Arkansas Tech 69-52 in a non-conference game last year in Dallas.
- The lead Wonderboy on the offensive end is Sam Bradford, a 6-7 forward who is averaging 19.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg thus far into the season. Donyae Mae and David Elliott IV are averaging 16.5 and 11.0 ppg, respectively.
- Bradford, a junior, is in his first season as a Wonderboy after transferring from State Fair Community College.
- Arkansas Tech leads the GAC in three-point attempts per game (30.0). They are shooting just 28.3% from beyond the arc this year.
- Just like DBU, the Wonderboys lead their conference in average turnover margin (+7.0).
- Head coach Mark Downey is in his tenth season with Arkansas Tech, and his 17th season as a collegiate hoops head coach (265-199).
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SERIES HISTORY
DBU's win over Arkansas Tech last year was the Patriots' first win in the all-time series (1-2). Before last season, the two schools hadn't met on the basketball court since the '07-'08 season.
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UP NEXT
Following Thursday's game against Arkansas Tech, DBU will return to The Burg Center for homecoming against St. Edward's (5-0) on Saturday.