It’s easy to pick out Will Neighbour’s 23 points and 9 rebounds and
Josh Hagins’ 18 points and big shots down the stretch. But there were more
subtle contributions from up and down the roster that helped UALR rally and
hold on for the victory.
- Freshman Mareik Isom’s offensive rebound and tip-in with 2:54 left that cut South Alabama’s lead to 54-53.
- South Alabama’s turnover with 2:37 left was forced by the defensive pressure of UALR senior Leroy Isler.
- After Hagins’ three-pointer with 1:25 left to give UALR a 56-54 lead, UALR junior Gus Leeper stole the ball from South Alabama’s Mychal Ammons.
There were also some key moments from junior DeVonte Smith, sophomore
Stetson Billings and junior Ben Dillard.
BURN NOTICE
UALR now has two Saturday victories this season after beating South
Alabama. The Trojans’ only other Saturday victory this season came at
Texas-Arlington. Since then, UALR was blown out in Saturday games against Troy,
Georgia State and Arkansas State.
WHERE WE STAND
Georgia State remained unbeaten by rallying to beat Texas-Arlington at
home on Saturday. Western Kentucky is second at 7-2 and UALR third at 7-3.
INJURY REPORT
There’s no more important question to answer about the UALR basketball
team right now than the health status of UALR senior forward Will Neighbour.
The likely Sun Belt Conference player of the week had 23 points, 9 rebounds, 3
blocked shots and a steal in Saturday’s victory at South Alabama. But he
injured his ankle late in that game and hobbled around the court when he
returned.
UALR hopes to get sophomore forward James White back this week. But
that advantage would be largely nullified if Neighbour can’t go.
TROJAN MAN
When UALR has had to have it this year, Josh Hagins has provided it.
Once again on Saturday, Hagins hit a key three-pointer as UALR held off South
Alabama. Hagins finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals on
Saturday.
STAT OF THE GAME
UALR held a 20-8 advantage in second-chance points. Included in that
total would have been Josh Hagins’ three-pointer that gave UALR the lead for
good.
GLASS HALF FULL
Playing without James White, UALR still held a 37-32 rebound advantage.
That includes 18-11 in offensive rebounds. Of UALR’s 34 missed shots, UALR got
back 18 of them (53 percent).
GLASS HALF EMPTY
South Alabama made 7 of 15 (47 percent) three-point shots in the second
half. Most of those came in the first 10 minutes as the Jaguars rallied to take
the lead.
KING PRIAM’S KEYS
JAGS SUB 50: South Alabama shot
43.5 percent from the field. When the Jaguars shoot less than 50 percent, they’re
winless (0-6) in Sun Belt play. Grade: B+
THREES BELOW 35: UALR’s goal has been to keep opponents to less than 35
percent from three-point range. The Trojans didn’t make it on Saturday. South
Alabama shot 36 percent. But, keeping it near that number was enough to win.
Grade: B.
15 TIMES AT THE LINE: South Alabama is now 2-9 on the season when its
opponent makes at least 15 free throws. UALR made 19 of 26. Grade: A.
FREE JOSH: Josh Hagins still isn’t shooting the ball like he’s capable.
But he’s finding ways to be effective. He was only 5 of 15 from the field, but
made a key three-pointer and 7 of 8 free throws. Grade: A-.
WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS?
South Alabama was anywhere to a 4.5-point favorite some places to the
game being completely off the board at others. Regardless, a bet on UALR was a
winner.
UP NEXT
UALR gets first place Georgia State on Thursday at the Jack Stephens
Center. Georgia State made a long three-pointer to tie the game late and went
on to beat Texas-Arlington on Saturday.
