Boll Weevils outlast SAU, rack up third straight victory

Zane Nelson and Isaac Jackson accounted for 79% of the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s scoring Thursday in a 67-61 home win over archrival Southern Arkansas University, the Boll Weevils’ season-high third straight victory.

Nelson had 28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Jackson scored 25 points, as he and Nelson played the entire game.

Remaining starters Wesley Booker (6 points), Josh Denton (5) and Timur Krupalija (3) were the only other Weevils to score.

UAM (8-8, 6-5 Great American) has a .500 win percentage for the first time since Nov. 16, when it evened its overall record at 2-2 following a win over Hendrix College. The Weevils beat the Muleriders behind 52.3% field goal shooting (23 of 44), 45.5% 3-point shooting (5 of 11) and 80% foul shooting (16 of 20). Nelson made 9 of 13 from the floor and Jackson 10 of 19, while Booker was 4 for 4 at the line.

SAU (7-10, 5-6) made 23 of 55 (41.8%) from the floor, struggling to hit from 3 (8 of 27), and converted only 7 of 13 free throws. The Muleriders’ bench outscored the Weevils’ 21-0 in a game that saw nine lead changes.

Gregory Hammond Jr. scored in the paint to give SAU its last lead, 59-58, with 1:48 left, before Nelson hit two free throws at the 1:32 mark to put UAM ahead for good. Nelson also splashed a 3-point basket with 54 seconds to give UAM much-needed insurance.

SAU led 34-32 at halftime.

Carel Ray Jr. led SAU with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Gregory Hammond Jr., Anthony Igiede and Cedric Garrett each scored 12.

UAM, which has won 5 of its last 6, will play at Arkansas Tech University at 3 p.m. today.

WOMEN

UAM 72, SAU 63

Also in Monticello on Thursday, UAM (6-11, 2-9 Great American) won for the first time in three games behind Bailey Harris’ 26 points.

The Cotton Blossoms, who never trailed, took a 21-10 lead after one quarter and shot better than 60% in the second half to finish 27 of 52 from the floor (51.9%). At the foul line, they made 11 of 13, with Kelsey Blakemore going 4 for 4.

Alindsey Long and Blakemore each scored 12 points for UAM. Azaria Hulbert had nine.

UAM had a 38-26 advantage in the paint, although SAU’s bench outscored UAM’s 27-11. The Blossoms led 34-21 at halftime.

Addy Tremie scored 18 points, Layla Carter dropped 14 off the bench and Diamond Morris scored 10 to lead the Lady Riders (9-8, 4-7). As a team they made 22 of 57 field goal attempts (38.6%) and 14 of 16 free throws (87.5%).

The Blossoms shot better from 3-point range (7 of 16) than the Lady Riders (5 of 19).

UAM will square off against Arkansas Tech at 1 p.m. today in Russellville.