UALR was seven percent better in effective field goal percentage, three percent better in turnover percentage and destroyed WKU in free throw rate. So how could they have possibly lost?
It's pretty easy. WKU obliterated UALR in rebounding. The Tops got back 37 percent of their misses to UALR's 19 percent. Throw in a couple of missed free throws in the final minute (four actually) and the Trojans lost their second consecutive game.
Mareik Isom had 11 points off the bench for UALR. He also missed two free throws and was covering Trency Jackson when Jackson hit the game winning three-pointer at the buzzer. But Isom's minutes were still among the most productive on the night for UALR. The Trojans outscored the Hilltoppers 41-32 with Isom on the court. The only better mark was the +10 put up by Leroy Isler.
It was interesting that Will Neighbour, playing with an injured ankle, went to the bench early in the second half and didn't return. The plus/minus shows why. UALR was outscored 44-34 in Neighbour's minutes. That's pretty atypical for the senior forward.
For the season, UALR's most productive offensive players in terms of team points scored while they are on the court are: 1. Leroy Isler; 2. Josh Hagins; 3. Will Neighbour; 4. Ben Dillard; 5. DeVonte Smith. UALR's most productive defensive players in terms of team points allowed while they are on the court are: 1. Stetson Billings; 2. Mareik Isom; 3. Gus Leeper; 4. Will Neighbour; 5. Josh Hagins.
