MONTICELLO — University of Arkansas at Monticello senior men's basketball player Jerron Washington scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Weevils in a 90-79 Great American Conference loss to East Central on Saturday at home.
ECU (13-6, 9-4 GAC) created the first separation of the game following an 11-0 run to put the Tigers up 10 at the 12:07 mark of the first half.
The Weevils (7-12, 5-8 GAC) climbed back to within five a minute later, but the Tigers jumped back on top with a 13-2 run. ECU maintained its double-digit lead throughout the rest of the half to hold a 12-point lead over the Weevils at halftime, 46-34.
The Tigers stayed above 50 percent shooting from the field throughout the game, which prevented the Weevils from making a comeback in the second half. UAM cut its deficit down to seven points in the first five minutes of the final half, but the Tigers responded with a 9-2 run to regain a double-digit lead, which they held for the remainder of the contest.
The Weevils (7-12, 5-8 GAC) played the visiting Tigers even early in the matchup, with each team finding their shot from range through the first five minutes, and UAM held a slim one point lead at 6-5 with 17 minutes to go in the half. ECU was able to control the pace for much of the game, however, and 30 seconds later they gained a lead they would not relinquish.
UAM finished the game at 43 percent from the field (26-for-60), 30 percent on three-pointers (7-for-23) and 80 percent on foul shots (20-for-25). In addition to Washington's point total, three other Weevils reached double-digits in scoring. Junior Vicktor Arnick posted 19 points and nine rebounds. Seniors Andre Brown and Richard Benedyth added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Tigers ended at 57 percent from the field (34-for-60), 53 percent on three-pointers (9-for-17) and 77 percent on foul shots (13-for-17). Braxton Reeves led the Tigers with 21 points.
UAM is back in action on Thursday, February 4 against Southwestern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Weatherford.
