UALR led the majority of
the game before a second-half run by Memphis put the game away.
For the second-consecutive game, UALR blew a halftime lead. But this game felt a lot different than Tuesday's 14-point loss at Tulsa. UALR lost both games by 14 points. But on Friday, the Trojans earned a bit of respect.
Sophomore Josh Hagins
led UALR with 17 points while senior Will Neighbour had 15 points. But it was really an offensive struggle all
night for UALR. The Trojans shot 36 percent from the field and made 7 of 20 (35
percent) three-pointers.
Memphis wasn’t much
better, making 39 percent of their field goals and 30 percent of their
three-pointers. Memphis outscored UALR 20-14 at the free throw line and held a
41-32 rebound advantage.
That was where the game
turned in the second half.
UALR jumped out to a
quick 7-1 lead and still held a 31-24 lead at halftime on a three-pointer by
sophomore Kemy Osse at the buzzer.
Back-to-back
three-pointers by Hagins and Neighbour pushed the lead to 39-28 early in the
second half. UALR had chances to extend the lead further but turned the ball
over on two of its next three possessions. And Memphis started to crawl back in
it.
A three-pointer by Chris
Crawford gave Memphis a 42-41 lead with 11:44 left.
UALR re-took the lead
46-45 on two free throws by junior DeVonte Smith with 9:42 left. And the Trojans
still held a 48-46 lead at the under 8 minute media timeout.
Memphis went on an 11-1
run, finishing on two free throws from Joe Jackson with 4:13 left. It gave the
Tigers a 58-49 advantage.
UALR returns to action
next Friday, taking on Jacksonville State in British Virgin Islands.