HONOLULU – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team earned its first win of the DII Power Invitational when it defeated the University of Alaska-Anchorage on Thursday night, 83-74. The Weevils led most of the contest and shot 48.4 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three-point range.
 
With some early back-and-forth play, the Weevils actually found themselves down a few points early. Just before the first media timeout, Alaska-Anchorage had a five-point lead, but Wanya King helped UAM erase that with a pair of three-pointers to give the Weevils a 14-13 advantage.
 
Play continued to be close until the final eight minutes of the half. UAM had a 25-22 lead over the Seawolves until KJ Lesure hit a three-pointer to make it a six-point advantage. Denzel McDuffey then followed that up with jumper and then another triple to put the lead at double-digits, 33-22. UAM later pushed the lead to 15 points in the final six minutes of the half with a basket from Marcus Gilbert.
 
Alaska-Anchorage did go on a bit of a run though as time winded down. UAA was down 46-29 but went on a 10-0 run to finish the period. The Weevils would take a 46-39 lead into the half.
 
The Seawolves had the momentum on their side early in the second period. With 14:34 left in the game, UAA stormed all the way back to take a one-point lead, 55-54. The Weevils then responded with a run of their own.
 
Lesure got things started with a jumper, and Gilbert followed with a layup to put UAM back up three. Austin Hardy then put UAM up five with a jumper of his own. The Weevils run continued as Justin Slocum slammed a dunk home to make it a 64-55 advantage.
 
UAM flirted with a 10-point lead throughout the remainder of the game. UAA did cut it back to within five points with a little over a minute remaining, but UAM was able to hit its clutch free throws and go on to win the contest, 83-74.
 
The Weevils once again shot the ball exceptionally well on the day shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 43.5 percent from three-point range. UAM was also 11-of-14 from the charity stripe.
 
UAM had four players in double-figures including Lesure (24 points), McDuffey (17 points), Slocum (13 points) and Gilbert (10 points).
 
Lesure also added four assists and was 4-of-5 from three-point range.
 
McDuffey finished the contest just one rebound short of a double-double with nine.
 
Gilbert also added five assists in the game to lead the roster.
 
With the win, UAM improves to 9-2 overall, while Alaska Anchorage falls to 8-3 on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Weevils will play Hawaii Pacific University on Friday for its second game of the DII Power Invitational. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. central time.