LR’s Ross propels Tech over UAPB

SWAC MEN

TEXAS TECH 94, UAPB 54

LUBBOCK, Texas — Aaron Ross (Little Rock Parkview) scored a career-high 15 points in Texas Tech’s 94-54 drubbing of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday afternoon.

Zach Smith and Norense Odiase scored 12 points apiece for Texas Tech (8-1), which won its seventh consecutive game. Devaugntah Williams and Toddrick Gotcher both had 11 points, while Keenan Evans added 10.

“We were just executing what we went over,” Williams said. “High-low. Zach [Smith] and Norense [Odiase]. One of them show high, the other just dive into their man. It was just there tonight. The guards, we were patient moving the ball around the perimeter and keeping the floor spaced.”

During its current fivegame losing streak, UAPB (210) has lost by an average of 25.8 points.

Trent Whiting led the Golden Lions with 15 points. Deshon Bayless and Jaquan Lynch had 10 points apiece.

Texas Tech led 52-19 at halftime and closed the first half on a 14-0 run. The Golden Lions had four turnovers during a scoreless streak of 3:23 at the end of the period.

It was the first time this season that Odiase, Smith and Ross all scored 10 or more points in the same game.

In his second appearance after becoming eligible for Texas Tech this week, 6-10 walk- on center Matthew Temple played 17 minutes and finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.

Temple is Texas Tech’s second tallest player, and the only true center that can relieve Odiase. Ross has typically been substituting in for Odiase at center. Recently eligible 6-11 Rokas Ulvydas has not played this season.

The Red Raiders led by as many at 47 points and outrebounded UAPB 35-28.

SOUTHLAND WOMEN CENTRAL ARKANSAS 57, CAMPBELL 34

The Central Arkansas women used their defense to hold Campbell to eight second-half points as the Sugar Bears rolled to a victory Saturday at the Hampton Inn Oceanfront Holiday Classic in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Sugar Bears (8-1), who came into the game ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense at 50 points per game, held the Lady Camels (5-4) to 4-of-24 shooting (16.7 percent) in the second half. It equaled the lowest scoring total this season for Campbell, which lost 5734 to Virginia Commonwealth earlier this season. Campbell got two baskets in the first 4:08 of the second half, then went scoreless for the next 9:54 and scored two more baskets over the remaining 15:52.

It was the fifth time in six games the Sugar Bears have allowed 40 or fewer points and is the fourth-lowest total in the team’s four seasons under Coach Sandra Rushing.

The Sugar Bears outrebounded the Lady Camels 36- 29 and committed 11 turnovers, while forcing 19 from Campbell. Central Arkansas went 11 of 14 from the free throw line, while Campbell was 1 of 7.

Maggie Proffitt led the Sugar Bears with 11 points, all scored in the first half. Brianna Mullins, Kendara Watts and Sandy Jackson added eight points each.