Think about this. UALR shot 46.3 percent
from the field. UALR made 21 of 23 free throws (91.3 percent). UALR held a
34-26 advantage in rebounds. UALR’s leading scorers James White (23 points, 11
of 13 free throws) AND Will Neighbour (18 points, 7 of 10 field goals) each had
really solid games.
And UALR lost. They didn’t
just lose. They got their doors blown off from the opening tip.
It came down to two
factors – one of which has been a problem, one which hasn’t.
First the one that hasn’t
been a major issue: turnovers. UALR had 20 turnovers. UALR was making shots.
But there were 20 possessions in which UALR didn’t even get a shot.
The second has been an
issue from the start of the season: three-point defense. Opponents have shot
36.8 percent from the three-point line against the Trojans this season. Georgia
State shot an amazing 15 of 34 (44.1 percent) on Saturday. Georgia State
attempted 34 of its 64 field goal attempts from three-point range. And why not? When you’re making them at that clip you
might has well bomb away.
The bottom line is this.
UALR’s offense works. But the Trojans are still struggling on the defensive
end.
BURN UNIT
Maybe not the margin or
the 30-point halftime deficit, but the margin was predictable.
UALR dropped to 9-9 on
the season but is still 4-2 in Sun Belt Conference play and has already played
four of its nine conference road games.
With the exception of 5-0 Georgia State, everyone else in the Sun Belt
has at least two losses already. And everyone except UALR (4-2),
Louisiana-Lafayette (3-2), Western Kentucky (3-2) and Louisiana-Monroe (3-2)
has at least three.
Perhaps Georgia State
will run away from the rest of the field. But the Panthers still have some
significant road tests ahead of them. Regardless, there's no reason to panic yet.
STAT OF THE GAME
20 Turnovers by UALR. No
possible way to win with that many give-aways.
TROJAN MAN
Playing
before some hometown folks, James White had 23 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block and
1 steal. The best part of his night was free throws. After struggling a bit
early in the year, White is now making them. He made 11 of 13 free throws on
Saturday.
GLASS HALF FULL
Will
Neighbour continues to churn out solid offensive nights. And his shot is
definitely coming back.
GLASS HALF EMPTY
Even
knowing what Georgia State’s R.J. Hunter was going to do, UALR could do nothing
with him. Hunter finished with 25 points and made 6 of 10 three-pointers.
KING PRIAM’S KEYS
Rebound,
Rebound, Rebound: UALR outrebounded Georgia State 34-26. This wasn’t the
problem. Grade: A-.
Defend
the three: Georgia State made 15 of 34 three-pointers. Grade: F.
Hagins
vs. Harrow: Ryan Harrow had 12 points, 7 assists and only 1 turnover. Josh
Hagins had 5 points, 6 assists and 4 turnovers. Grade: D+.
Big
Men Big: Will Neighbour and James White
were more than solid. Grade: A-.
WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS?
Georgia
State was a double-digit favorite and had that covered before the first media
timeout.
UP NEXT
UALR
is back at home Thursday against Texas State.
