SOUTHLAND MEN
NORTHWESTERN STATE 80,
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 75
The University of Central Arkansas trailed 51-27 at the end of the first half, outscored Northwestern State 48-29 in the second half but fell Saturday at the Farris Center in Conway.
The Bears (10-13, 5-5 Southland) got a career-high 33 points from senior guard Thatch Unruh, including 25 in the second half.
After UCA tied the game at 68-68 on a three-point play by Unruh and a pair of free throws by sophomore center Hayden Koval, the Demons retook the lead with four consecutive free throws, a steal and layup.
Unruh converted another three-point play with 21.5 seconds left that pulled the Bears within 76-75. The Demons got two more free throws from Malik Metoyer with 20.8 seconds remaining, but the Bears drew consecutive fouls that sent their two best free-throw shooters to the line in Unruh and sophomore guard DeAndre Jones. Unruh missed twice, but Matthew Mondesir rebounded and threw the ball off a Northwestern State defender while falling out of bounds under the goal, giving the Bears another chance.
Jones was fouled with 8.2 seconds left and also misfired on both attempts. Northwestern State's Ishmael Lane then hit the final two of his team-high 22 points at the free-throw line for the final margin.
Lane added 13 rebounds for his fifth consecutive double-double .
The Demons (8-14, 3-6), who at one point were 6 of 21 at the line, made 10 of their final 12 to seal it. They finished 17 of 31 (54.8 percent) at the line.
SWAC MEN
GRAMBLING STATE 79,
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 55
Grambling State held University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff senior guard Martaveous McKnight to his lowest point total of the season en route to the victory in Grambling, La.
McKnight, who came into the game averaging 22.6 points per game, scored 11 to go with 9 rebounds. Shaun Doss, who was averaging 11.6 points per game entering Saturday, led UAPB (7-14, 4-4 SWAC) with 19 points.
Prince Moss had 21 points for the Tigers (10-11, 4-4).
Grambling State dominated in bench points with 39 compared with UAPB's 16.
SOUTHLAND WOMEN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 74,
NORTHWESTERN STATE 52
The University of Central Arkansas outscored Northwestern State 24-9 in the fourth quarter on the strength of 8 offensive rebounds and 11 second-chance points to break open a close game en route to the victory in Conway.
The Sugar Bears (8-12, 3-7 Southland) led 50-43 going into the final quarter, then used a 13-0 run over a six-minute span to widen its lead over the Demons (7-13, 2-7) to 66-45 with 2:46 left.
Kamry Orr powered Central Arkansas with 26 points, including a 10 of 11 effort at the free-throw line, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals.
Alanie Fisher had her second double-double of the season, getting 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds -- including 9 on the offensive end. Fisher helped the Sugar Bears outrebound the Demons 49-23.
Alana Canady also had 13 points for the Sugar Bears, who scored 25 points off of turnovers to Northwestern State's 14, and 23 points on second chances, compared with 9 for Northwestern State.
RaVon Nero paced Northwestern State with 16 points.
SWAC WOMEN
GRAMBLING STATE 77,
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 57
Grambling State got 35 points from its bench and a dominant performance from senior guard Shakyla Hill to overwhelm the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Grambling, La.
Hill had 21 points, 16 rebounds, 13 assists and 10 steals to power the Tigers (9-11, 6-2 SWAC), who have won 8 of their past 11 after a 1-8 start. Ariel Williams scored 11 points in 12 minutes.
Aiya El Hassan had 14 points and 8 rebounds to lead UAPB (4-11, 1-7), which lost its third consecutive game. Atitiana Vincent and Noe'll Taylor added 10 points each.
Sports on 02/03/2019