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52 65 |
UALR has now lost three consecutive games and falls 2 full
games behind Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference’s West Division
standings. Both teams have three games remaining.
Perhaps it just wasn’t meant to be on Thursday. UALR’s
defense was solid most of the night. But the Trojans just couldn’t make any
jump shots when they needed them.
UALR made 21 of 52 field goal attempts, including just 2 of
19 from three-point range. Several were wide open looks when the game was still
tight.
The game slipped away midway through the second half. After a dunk by sophomore Michael Javes and
two free throws by freshman Kemy Osse, UALR trailed 42-39 with 9:23 remaining.
Needing a defensive
stop, FIU’s Tola Akomolafe scored on a layup for a 44-39 score. UALR then turned the ball over on three
consecutive possessions with a chance to cut into the lead. Eventually, FIU
extended it. Junior Will Neighbour blocked a shot by Akomolafe got the
offensive rebound and scored on a layup to make it 46-39.
James White missed two free throws on UALR’s next possession
and Neighbour picked up his fourth foul on the second miss. FIU went to the
other end and hit two free throws for a 48-39 lead. Then after a Neighbour
turnover, Ivan Jurkovic’s dunk extended the lead to 50-39 with 5:20 left.
And that was pretty much it. FIU made its free throws and
UALR never really got close.
Javes and freshman John Gillon had 12 points apiece to lead
UALR. Neighbour had 9 points and 7 rebounds.
