MONTICELLO, Ark. – Quick hands on the defensive end and a smooth stroke from beyond the arc helped the University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team to stay unblemished at Steelman Field House and earn its second straight GAC win. The Weevils forced 19 turnovers and knocked down 11 three-pointers on their way to the 73-57 victory over Henderson State Thursday night.
The contest remained close throughout the first half as both teams managed scoring runs of at least seven points. UAM built its largest lead of the half after a quick 7-0 burst with under 15 minutes to play to take a 21-13 lead.
The Reddies tied the score at 35 with just 1:36 to play in the half before the Weevils closed strong in transition scoring seven fast break points and take a 42-35 lead to the locker room.
UAM was hot from beyond the arc in the opening half, hitting at a 53.8 percent clip on 7-of-13 shooting.
Dajuan Jones and
Denzel McDuffey led the Weevils at the break with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Jones and McDuffey each knocked down three triples in the first half as well.
The shooting cooled off in the second half, but the defense held strong for UAM. The Weevils capitalized on nine second half turnovers by Henderson State for 11 points.
UAM pulled away thanks to a 15-0 run sparked by a thunderous fast break dunk by
Lemmie Howard with 17:37 to play. Relentless attacks in the paint and a pair of threes helped the Weevils stretch their lead all the way to 19 with 8:50 left in the contest. The lead would never fall below 13 for UAM as the team closed out the Reddies 73-57.
The Weevils have won 11 of the last 13 battles against Henderson State including six straight at Steelman Field House. UAM is now 9-2 all time at home against the Reddies and 16-8 overall.
Jones and McDuffey led all scores with 19 points apiece, including hitting seven of UAM's 11 three-pointers. Jones also tallied nine assists in the contest while McDuffey pulled down 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.
Defensively,
Kendal Frey picked up three steals and Howard swatted a pair of blocks.
Up Next
The Weevils travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to face Ouachita Baptist Saturday at 4 p.m. Watch UAM battle the Tigers live for free
HERE.
