MONTICELLO, Ark.—Host Arkansas-Monticello used a 10-0 first-half run to build a lead over the Christian Brothers University Bucs, and they held on for a 59-48 Gulf South Conference West Division win over the Bucs Thursday night.
After three ties and five lead changes in the first 10 minutes, the Boll Weevils (10-7, 5-2 GSC West) shut out the Bucs for 5:12, scoring 10 points on layups from Gil Verner and Hamid Ford and triples by Jeremy LaGarde and DeAngelo McIntosh to take a 21-13 with 6:48 remaining. The Bucs (14-6, 4-4) could never come closer than two points again.
Scott Dennis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) led the Bucs with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Zack Warner (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton HS) and
Kyle Couvion (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville HS) scored 11 points each.
Ford led the Boll Weevils with 16 points. Jarrell Turner scored 15, while LaGarde added 12.
The Boll Weevils shot 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from three-point range, while the Bucs were cold for a second straight game, shooting 25 percent (4-of-16). The Bucs shot 42.6 percent (20-of-47) overall to the Bol Weevils' 44.7 percent (21-of-47).
UAM out-rebounded the Bucs 30-28, including a 10-8 edge in offensive rebounds, and they forced 10 CBU turnovers while committing six.
The Bucs return to the court next Thursday night at 8 p.m. as they visit Ouachita Baptist. Their next home game is Saturday, Feb. 13, against Delta State.