MAGNOLIA, Ark – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team lost its third consecutive game on Thursday night when fell in a Great American Conference matchup at Southern Arkansas University, 72-63. Justin Slocum tallied a double-double in the loss with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Weevils and Muleriders were locked in a tight low-scoring contest in the first half, but SAU pulled away toward the end of the second half to earn the victory.
 
UAM and SAU both struggled to shoot the ball well in the first half combining for just 49 points. The Weevils shot a season-low for a half at 31.3 percent from the field. They also struggled at from beyond the arc shooting just 23.1 percent.
 
The lone bright spot in the first period was perhaps KJ Lesure who tallied 10 of the Weevils 23 points in the period as UAM trailed at the break, 26-23.
 
In the second half, Slocum got UAM scoring started early with a layup inside. He later stole a ball on the other end and slammed a riveting dunk home. With the Muleriders up by three, Lesure got free on and tallied a nice fastbreak bucket to make it a one-point game.
 
However, it would be the closest the Weevils would get to the Muleriders in the contest. UAM kept the deficit under 10 points for most of the second half due to some baskets by Lesure, Slocum and Denzel McDuffey, but with a little under seven minutes remaining in the game, SAU went on a run that would put the game out of reach. The Muleriders went on to win the contest, 72-63.
 
UAM's shooting did improve overall in the second half going 48.5 percent from the field to finish shooting 40.0 percent for the contest. The Weevils have not shot under 40.0 percent in a game this season. Unfortunately, UAM did not improve its three-point shooting in the second period going 0-of-6 from downtown.
 
Lesure led all scorers with 21 points and also going 5-of-6 at the line.
 
Slocum was second in scoring with 17 points and he also grabbed a team-best 12 boards.
 
Marcus Gilbert was UAM's other double-figures scorer with 13 points.
 
With the loss, the Weevils fall to 13-5 overall and 5-4 in GAC contests.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will look to remain undefeated at home and snap its current three-game losing streak when it hosts Ouachita Baptist University this Saturday at 4 p.m. following the women's game.