Second-half spurt spurs UCA victory
CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas used long-range jumpers, fast-break drives, and a stifling defense to take command and pull away from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for a 69-54 victory before an announced crowd of 2,412 at the Farris Center on Saturday night.
UCA’s game-deciding run started early in the second half.
UCA (6-5) led 35-30 at the end of the first half, but UALR (2-7) got a three-pointer from junior guard Anthony Black on its first possession of the second half to pull within 35-33.
Sparked by senior guard Jordan Howard, senior guard Mathieu Kamba, and freshman center Hayden Koval, UCA responded with a 19-6 run to take command and establish control.
UCA shot 40.7 percent from the field but held UALR to 28.3 percent.
“Tonight, I thought their team was as physical as they’ve ever been against us,” UALR Coach Wes Flanigan said. “We just couldn’t finish around the basket, and that’s because of their defense. They were physical, and they were playing without fouling, and we just couldn’t get it to go down.”
UCA’s victory helped make up for its 71-65 loss at UALR on Nov. 29.
“Tonight we made it a little more difficult for them to get into their ball movement, which I think took them a little bit out of their rhythm,” UCA Coach Russ Pennell said. “That was a big key for us, that and our defensive transition. Overall, I think the defensive effort is what won the game.”
Howard said UCA stepped up its defensive effort for the decisive run.
“We know when we’re not shooting a great percentage we can always lean on our defense,” he said. “That’s really something we’ve been locking in on lately as a collective effort. That’s been the biggest factor for us in our wins.”
Kamba led UCA with 19 points. Howard scored 18.
Sophomore guard Andre Jones scored 13 points to lead UALR. Black chipped in 10.
UCA returned home from three consecutive road games, including a 96-79 victory at California on Wednesday.
“Whenever we’re at home, I just think we play a little better,” Howard said. “There’s just something about being able to stay here after being on the road for a little while. It’s refreshing. We always have great energy when we play here, so that was a big factor.”
A three-pointer by sophomore guard Darraja Parnell and an 18-foot jump shot by junior forward Tanner Schmit gave UCA a 50-39 lead midway through the second half.
UCA’s lead was 53-39 after Kamba’s three-point play with nine minutes left.
The Trojans scored six consecutive points and were within 53-45 after a layup by freshman forward Damir Hadzic, but UCA scored the next 11 points and led 64-45 after Howard tipped in a missed layup by Kamba with 4:45 left.
Howard began the game with a three-point shooting percentage of .427 but hit just 2 of 9 three-point attempts against UALR.
“He had some good looks that just didn’t go in, and that’s a credit to UALR,” Pennell said. “When you’re playing against someone tough on the defensive end and all the sudden you get a look, you rush it a little bit. I thought he really rushed a couple of those jumpers, but he played a good floor game, defended really well and, overall, that’s what you look for in your best player.”