Stats don't tell story, but UALR rallies to hold off Troy in Sun Belt opener

BURN THE HORSE

The game statistics told a different story than what was being played out on the court.

56                     58

UALR (5-3, 1-0 Sun Belt) was dominating statistically yet trailing most of the game. But UALR rallied late to overcome Troy 58-56 at the Jack Stephens Center in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Will Neighbour’s turnaround jumper with 1:05 left gave UALR a 55-53 lead. Then after Troy’s Denonata Jethroe missed a three-pointer, UALR freshman John Gillon was sent to the free throw line. He made both for a 57-53 lead with 32 seconds left.

Troy’s ensuing possession typified much of the game. Jethroe missed but UALR freshman Josh Hagins turned it over on the rebound. Hunter Williams then drilled a three-pointer for Troy to cut the lead to 58-57 with 10 seconds left.

UALR got the ball inbounds to Hagins. He made the first free throw but missed the second for a 58-56 score.

Troy (4-4, 0-1) had one final chance to tie but Jethroe’s jumper hit the front rim and UALR held on.

UALR held Troy to 38 percent shooting, including 6 of 22 (27 percent) from three-point range. UALR went to the free throw line 20 more times and held a 38-36 rebounding advantage. UALR even had 10 turnovers to Troy’s 11.

But Troy was able to hold on to the lead much of the game by attacking the basket and scoring on layup after layup, taking advantage of UALR breakdowns.

But with the game on the line, UALR got enough defensive stops down the stretch to pull it out.

Neighbour’s 14 points and 11 rebounds led UALR. Leroy Isler added 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Taggart Lockhart had 11. Gillon only had 5 points, but 2 of those 5 were his key free throws in the final minute. Hagins had 6 points and 7 rebounds.

UALR returns to action on Saturday, hosting Louisiana-Monroe at the Stephens Center.