Burn The Horse: UALR Gamenight: Live blog for Trojans vs. Tulsa

BURN THE HORSE

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Trojans drop the opener at Tulsa. The bottom line was that the just couldn't make any shots. UALR shoots 27 percent from the field and 21 percent from three-point range. UALR did make a nice run in the second half to cut the lead to 5, but couldn't sustain it. Will Neighbour and Chuck Guy lead UALR with 13 points apiece. But Neighbour was 4 of 10 and Guy 4 of 15. Even worse, UALR got on five combined points from Ben Dillard, Eric Lawton, Marlon Louzeiro, Tramar Sutherland and Taggart Lockhart. Tulsa also outrebounds UALR 56-27.

Baskets by Javes and Guy cut the lead to 44-39 before Tulsa extends the lead back to 10. Tulsa 49-39. Neighbour's 11 leads UALR. Guy has 10. Trojans shooting just 30 percent.

11:56 - A three-pointer by Courtney Jackson gets the lead back under 10 points. 44-35 Tulsa.

15:55-Bad start to the second half for the Trojans. Two fouls and two quick Tulsa baskets pushes the lead to 10. Javes also picked up his third foul. Harrelson then nails a to push the lead to 13. Sutherland free throw breaks up an 11-0 Tulsa run. 37-25 Tulsa.

Will Neighbour's six points leads UALR at the half. He missed his first five shots and made his final two. Trojans played 10 guys in the first half. Marlo the only player in foul trouble with 3. Javes does have 2. Richard, Clarkson and Harrelson with 2 for Tulsa. It would be nice to have one of those guards pick up an early third in the second half.

Halftime-Tulsa leads at halftime 28-22. First half struggles were predictable. Trojans got outrebounded (29-15) and outmuscled on the inside. But the young Trojans took care of the basketball with just two turnovers. That helped keep them in the game despite shooting 9 of 30 (30 percent).

Neighbour hits a 3 and is at the line trying to convert a three-point play as we reach the final media timeut of the first half. Trojans haven't shot well and are getting badly out rebouded, but they're competing on defense and taking care of the ball on offense.. That's kept them in it on a few occasions when it appeared Tulsa might open up a big lead. This game reminds a lot of last year's opener at SMU. It's 22-19 Tulsa.

Trojans re-took the lead but allowed back to back to back dunks as Tulsa went up. UALR still cold shooting and Neighbour yet to connect on a field goal. Tulsa up 19-14.

11:27-Trojans ice cold from the field and Tulsa goes on a run to take an 11-8 lead. UALR has already gone nine deep on its bench in the first nine minutes of this game.

15:29-Pace has to be to UALR's liking with a 5-3 score going to the first media timeout. Jackson and Williams with UALR's early baskets.

19:59-Opening tip. UALR's smaller lineup needs to use quickness to exploit the height Tulsa is starting.

Gametime is about 15 minutes away. UALR starters are D'Andre Williams, Chuck Guy, Tramar Sutherland, Courtney Jackson and Michael Javes. It's the second year in a row a freshman has started at the post. Gus Leeper got a start in last year's opener at SMU.