Southern Nazarene edges past UAM
A go-ahead, fastbreak jumper off a steal with 15 seconds left and 2 more free throws gave Southern Nazarene University a 57-54 men’s basketball victory over the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Thursday in Bethany, Okla.
The loss ended a 2-game winning streak for the Boll Weevils (11-13, 9-10 Great American), who tied the Crimson Storm (12-12, 9-10) and Harding University (1213, 9-10) for fourth in the conference, each with 3 games remaining. UAM led 26-23 at halftime and was up by 9 points on two occasions in the second half, most recently at 39-30 with 14:40 remaining.
But Coleman made 2 key field goals in the final 1:33 for Southern Nazarene. Following his go-ahead shot, Timur Krupalija of UAM missed a layup with 2 seconds left, and Shawn Barthelemy was sent to the foul line, where he made 2 shots with 1 second to go. Coleman stole the ball on the final inbound play to seal the Storm’s win.
Coleman scored 13 points and totaled 9 rebounds off the bench, and Benna Zecic led Southern Nazarene with 14 points. For UAM, Isaac Jackson and Zane Nelson each had 17 points, and Krupalija had 13. Wesley Booker brought down 9 rebounds to go with 2 points.
UAM will visit Oklahoma Baptist University for a 3 p.m. tipoff today in Shawnee.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SOUTHERN NAZARENE 63, UAM 51
Also Thursday in Bethany, the nation’s ninth-ranked Division II team turned around an 18-13 deficit after the first period and stayed in front of the Great American Conference race by 1 game over Harding with 3 remaining.
Emily Monaghan scored 25 points to lead the Crimson Storm (24-1, 18-1 Great American). She made 11 of 14 free throws and had 7 rebounds.
Hannah Giddey scored 14 points and Lauryn Reither netted 11 in the win. Giddey and Reither each had 7 rebounds.
Haleigh Crews led UAM (8-17, 4-15) with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Crews made all 6 of her free throws.
Bailey Harris added 12 points, Azaria Hulbert scored 11 and Alyssia Thorne had 6 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.
SNU led 31-26 at halftime. The Cotton Blossoms will tip off against Oklahoma Baptist at 1 p.m. today in Shawnee.
BASEBALL UAM 10, SE OKLAHOMA 9
UAM’s baseball team defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State University 10-9 on Friday in Durant, Okla.
The win is the fifth in a row for the Weevils (6-5, 4-0 Great American), who scored 4 runs in the seventh to take a 10-4 lead and held off a late charge by the Savage Storm (7-6, 1-4).
Connor Irvine, who earned the pitching win, struck out 3 and allowed 7 hits in 5 innings. Kyle Roop needed only 4 pitches for the game-saving strikeout.
Roc Hawthorne and Chaz Poppy, each of whom had 3 hits for UAM, hit home runs in the win.
The Weevils and Savage Storm will meet again today for a noon doubleheader.
SOFTBALL UAM SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER
In Monticello, UAM won the first game of a doubleheader with Southeastern Oklahoma, 3-2, then lost the second game 3-2.
Grace Neal and Lexie Smith each had 2 hits for UAM (9-7, 1-1 Great American) and were the game’s only multiple hitters. Courtnee Sensibaugh hit a triple in the win.
Kyann Woods (2 strikeouts) worked the last 5 innings for the win.
Southeastern (7-7, 1-1) responded in the second game with a 3-for-3 batting effort by Kady Fryrear and India McMurray home run. Kayla Olthouse suffered the pitching loss for UAM, which was held to 3 hits.
The two teams will meet in the rubber match at noon today.