Trojans wilt late vs. Tigers

MEMPHIS — Darrell Walker has consistently stated early in this season one important goal for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock men’s basketball team each game — hold the opponent to 65 points or less.

Facing a top-20 team in a hostile environment on Wednesday night, the Trojans nearly did just that for the third consecutive game, as UALR was right on the cusp of a signature win in Year 2 of the Walker era.

But trailing by two with under six minutes remaining, UALR finally started to wilt, and the Trojans fell to No. 16 Memphis 68-58 at the FedEx Forum in front of 15,390 fans.

“I knew we were gonna have a chance to win if the game was in the 60s, and we had our chances,” Walker said. “We competed and played hard. There ain’t no doubt about that. I think we showed that we’re a pretty good basketball team, but we still got a ways to go.”

UALR (3-2), with added length and size this season, has shown itself to be capable defensive team thus far, but what the Trojans did Wednesday was easily their most impressive showing. Memphis (4-1) entered the game averaging 91.3 points and shooting 51.8%.

But the Trojans’ defensive intensity the entire night made life far more difficult for the Tigers. Memphis, which was without suspended star freshman center James Wiseman, was held to 23 points below its season average, while the Tigers shot 39% from the floor, 24% from beyond the arc and committed 19 turnovers.

“Offensively, we knew that we wanted them to run their sets,” UALR sophomore point guard Markquis Nowell said. “The only way they [were] gonna be able to score was on fast break points.”

Nowell was proven right. Memphis outscored UALR 26-14 on the fast break.

UALR, which shot 43 percent, turned it over 26 times and went 13 of 24 from the free-throw line. Junior guard Jaizec Lottie went 0 for 5 from the charity stripe, and 10 of the team’s turnovers came from Nowell, who finished with a team-high 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.

Junior forward Ruot Monyyong posted 12 points, 9 boards, 4 blocks and 4 steals. Sophomore forward Kamani Johnson posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and junior guard Ben Coupet Jr. added 12 points and 7 rebounds. Junior forward Kris Bankston and junior guard Alsean Evans once again sat with injuries. The Trojans also recently learned from the NCAA that sophomore forward Nikola Maric, who has yet to play this season, will be suspended until the Jan. 9 game at Troy.

The Trojans’ defensive effort showed itself in the early going, as UALR held Memphis

without any points for five minutes and 29 seconds. The Trojans had taken a 9-0 lead, before Memphis forward D.J. Jeffries finally got the Tigers going with a dunk, and then later, a jumper in the lane.

“I kind of got the feeling in the locker room before the game that these kids were taking Little Rock for granted,” Memphis Coach Penny Hardaway said.

Jeffries finished the night with 15 points before fouling out with 4:15 to left in the game. The only other Tiger in double figures was freshman forward Precious Achiuwa, who had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Trojans led 19-12 at the media timeout with 6:57 left before halftime. Then the Tigers woke up.

Memphis closed the half on a 16-4 run to grab a 28-23 lead heading into the break, and the Tigers extended their lead to 35-25 in the opening two minutes of the second half.

UALR would not go quietly. After a three-pointer by Nowell with 5:37 remaining, the Trojans had pulled within 55-53.

But for the next 4:45, the Trojans fell apart on offense, didn’t hit a field goal, managed one free throw and had three turnovers, as Memphis opened up another 10-point lead heading into the final minute.