We don’t know how much better UALR can
be if/when junior point guard J.T. Thomas returns to the lineup. But we do know
point guard has been in more than solid hands with junior DeVonte Smith.
Last night in UALR’s 63-59 victory
over Texas State, Smith finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 0
turnovers in 27 minutes. But four of his six points were crucial. He kept UALR
in front with a key driving layup late. Then helped put the game away with two
clutch free throws.
Over the past five games, he’s had 15
assists with just five turnovers. And he’s averaged more than 5 points and
nearly 3 rebounds to go with it.
BURN UNIT
UALR has been pretty inconsistent over
the years when making the decision whether or not to foul up three points with
just a few seconds remaining.
Last night, the Trojans executed it to
perfection when Josh Hagins committed a foul at midcourt with :03 left and UALR
leading by 3. Texas State made the first free throw and missed the second
intentionally. Hagins grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made two free throws
to ice the game.
UALR has at least two famous losses in
recent years as a result of not fouling.
In Porter Moser’s final season in
Little Rock, UALR was up three against Pepperdine in a December tournament in
Albuquerque, N.M. Pepperdine hit a three-pointer, falling into the UALR bench,
to tie it. And UALR lost in overtime.
UALR also lost a five overtime game in
Miami against Florida International after a late three-pointer tied it. That
time, UALR didn’t foul and FIU missed a game-tying three-pointer. But the ball
bounced long off the rim and FIU’s Ivan Almonte grabbed it, dribbled once as he
took two of the biggest steps you’ve ever seen, planted a foot inbounds, and
banked in a three high off the glass to tie it.
INJURY UPDATE
Still waiting to hear something on the
ankle injury suffered by sophomore James White last night in San Marcos. He
played 13 first-half minutes and was effective, scoring 6 points and grabbing 5
rebounds. But he didn’t play in the second half.
STAT OF THE GAME
UALR outrebounded Texas State 33-25. That included 10-4 in offensive rebounds. Texas State entered the game +4 in rebound margin.
TROJAN MAN
Choosing a player of the game was
difficult because there were a couple of great candidates. We went with Will
Neighbour because of his team-high 20 points and ability to stay involved in
the scoring on a night when he wasn’t making many field goals. Neighbour also
took the crucial late charge that helped preserve the victory. Josh Hagins
probably should at least be co-player of the game with his 19 points. He had a
key second-half basket that stopped a 6-0 Texas State run. Then Hagins drilled
a 3 to give UALR the lead.
GLASS HALF FULL
UALR went 12 of 19 in the second half
for 63.2 percent. UALR also made 15 of 17 second-half free throws.
GLASS HALF EMPTY
UALR still continues to get very
little production out of its top six. Kemy Osse, Maurius Hill, Stetson
Billings, Mareik Isom and Gus Leeper combined for 5 points, 6 rebounds and 1
assist in 45 minutes of action. We should note that Hill had a key offensive
rebound and stickback in the second half though.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Jump The Gun: UALR didn’t lead at all
in the first half but maintained contact. Could have been both better and
worse. Grade: C+.
15 for Gus: We wanted to see 15
minutes for Gus Leeper and we got it. Leeper played 18 minutes before fouling
out with 3 points and 2 rebounds. Grade: B.
White Knight: We can’t really take off
points for an injury and James White was pretty good before getting hurt.
Grade: B.
WHAT HAPPENEND IN VEGAS
UALR was an underdog on the Las Vegas
line by 2.5 points. That makes the Trojans a Vegas winner.
UP NEXT
UALR travels to Arlington, Texas, to
take on Texas-Arlington on Saturday. UTA lost its Sun Belt opener to Arkansas
State on Thursday.
