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MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team shot 64 percent from the field and totaled 13 more rebounds than rival Southern Arkansas to highlight an 89-64 Great American Conference victory over the Muleriders on Thursday inside Steelman Field House.
Exactly one week after collecting what was then its most lopsided conference victory of the season in a 21-point win over Arkansas Tech, the Weevils bested themselves on Thursday night with a 25-point win over SAU, the program's largest margin of victory in a conference game since a 29-point win (69-40) over Ouachita Baptist at home on February 13, 2010.
UAM (18-9, 11-8 GAC) led for the majority of the contest, holding as much as an eight-point advantage in the first 20 minutes. The Muleriders (11-14, 7-12 GAC) surged late in the opening half to take a one-point lead with 2:52 remaining, but the Weevils responded by closing out the half outscoring SAU 12-2 to take an eight-point lead of 44-36 at the halftime break.
Junior Trey Wells gave UAM its first double-digit lead of the game less than 30 seconds into the second half. With the exception of a pair of free throws from SAU's Duke Reed on the ensuing possession, the Weevils maintained a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the contest.
The Weevils crossed the 20-point lead mark with 4:12 remaining on a jumper from junior Sharif Hudson. UAM led by as much as 27 points (89-62) on a fast break dunk from senior Brandon Wilson with 43 seconds left.
Hudson led all scorers with a new career-high of 22 points in the win over SAU. He was 8-for-11 from the field, including a 3-for-5 outing on three-pointers. UAM had four other scorers reach double digits. Senior Jared Harrison followed with 17 points, junior Kenric McCants had 16 points and nine assists, Wilson finished with 14 points, and Wells chipped in with 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench.
UAM finished the game at 64 percent from the field (32-for-50), 57 percent on three-pointers (8-for-14) and 61 percent on foul shots (17-for-28). SAU shot 49 percent from the field (21-for-43), 46 percent on treys (6-for-13) and 57 percent on foul shots (16-for-28). SAU's free throw shooting numbers dropped 50 percentage points from the first half (12-for-15) to the second half (4-for-13).
Duke Reed led SAU with 13 points.
The Weevils close out the regular season on Saturday at home against Ouachita Baptist. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. inside Steelman Field House. Senior Day ceremonies will take place immediately following the conclusion of the women's game.
