If you asked me before UALR left for Canada what their record would be on the trip, I'd have thought 2-1 would have been a pretty nice trip.
Now they'll have to beat Calgary on Saturday night just to get to 1-2.
It's not that surprising that UALR lost to Alberta, even more so with senior Will Neighbour's foul trouble. Alberta figures to be a contender for Canada's national championship. But the loss to Calgary was surprising. And another loss to Calgary would be equally surprising.
UALR has used all 11 available players extensively throughout the two games so far. No doubt that has contributed some to the results. But most of these 11 figure to be in the regular rotation once November comes. They'll need to play much better.
A return at 0-3 won't sit well until November.
THE GOOD
Sophomore point guard Josh Hagins finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 turnover in 24 minutes on Friday.
THE BAD
For the second consecutive game, UALR got dominated at the free throw line. UALR improved to 16 of 21 on Friday, but Alberta was 23 of 26.
THE UGLY
UALR was 3 of 24 from three-point range. That's just 12.5 percent. DeVonte Smith, Josh Hagins and Ben Dillard had the only three-point makes for the Trojans.
STAT OF THE GAME
5 Fouls by UALR's Will Neighbour, limiting him to 19 minutes.
BOUNCEBACK
Nice bounceback game for UALR junior Ben Dillard. After going scoreless on Thursday, Dillard had 11 points in 24 minutes on Friday.
IN IT TO WIN IT?
No UALR player saw more than 24 minutes of action. UALR's starting lineup was senior Will Neighbour, junior DeVonte Smith and sophomores Kemy Osse, Stetson Billings and James White. UALR once again played without senior Leroy Isler (back).
NEED TO D
Admitedly, UALR didn't spend much time working on defense leading up to these exhibiton games. The area where it's shown the most is at the free throw line. UALR sent Alberta to te line 26 times on Friday.
ZERO
UALR freshman Mareik Isom is considered one of the Trojans' best three-point shooters. But he hasn't gotten untracked at the longer international three-point line. After making his first three-point attempt on Thursday vs. Calgary, Isom has missed his last 11. That included 0 of 6 from three-point range on Friday.
DOUBLE UP
UALR sophomores James White and Josh Hagins are the only Trojans to score in double figures in both Canada games so far. White had 14 points on Thursday and 11 on Friday. Hagins had 10 on Thursday and 14 on Friday.
TURNING POINT
After 19 turnovers on Thursday (including several steps out of bounds) UALR had just 12 turnovers on Friday.
UP NEXT
UALR gets a rematch with Calgary on Saturday night. UALR lost to Calgary by three points on Thursday.
