MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team nearly earned a comeback victory over Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas, but were unable to overcome a late deficit, falling, 80-77. The Weevils jacked up a last-second shot that would have sent the game into overtime, but it hit off the back iron and fell.
 
In the first half, UAM found itself down at the break. At one point however, UAM was behind by double-digits. They did go on a small run later in the period to bring the score to within two thanks to solid play from Marcus Gilbert, Austin Hardy and KJ Lesure.
 
Following the final media timeout of the half, Lesure went coast-to-coast and drained a jumper in the paint to make it 29-27 in favor of OKBU. The Bison did follow with a run of their own to go up nine, but Gilbert hit a jumper with 15 seconds left to make it a seven-point game at the half.
 
To start the second period, Oklahoma Baptist got free for a handful of points to go ahead by 11, but UAM responded. Lesure later hit a big three to cut the lead back to single-digits, and Wanya King hit a triple as well to make it a five-point deficit.
 
With a little over 12 minutes left, Oklahoma Baptist was up by six until Gilbert drained another big three.
 
Shortly after, Oklahoma Baptist went up once again by double-digits. It wasn't until the final few minutes that the Weevils made a push. With 4:09 remaining, Denzel McDuffey got himself a steal and, on the way back, he slammed home a huge dunk and drew a foul, putting the momentum on UAM's side and the fans on their feet. McDuffey hit the free throw and got the Weevils within three, 72-69.
 
Seconds later, Lesure stole the ball away and got fouled. He hit both free throws to make it a one-point game.
 
The final few minutes were decided at the free throw line. After a pair of free throws were hit to put Oklahoma Baptist ahead by three, UAM got the ball with six seconds left. They got up the floor and Gilbert pulled up from deep at the buzzer, but it hit off the back iron, just missing. The Weevils fell, 80-77.
 
Lesure led all scorers with 23 points. He also had eight assists and three steals.
 
Gilbert tallied 12 points and four assists, while Slocum managed 12 points and seven rebounds.
 
Hardy rounded out the team's top performers with 15 points and seven rebounds.
 
With the loss, UAM has now dropped six straight and are now 13-8 overall and 5-7 in league games. Oklahoma Baptist improves to 12-6 overall and 7-5 in conference matchups.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will start a long road trip on Thursday when it heads to Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 following the women's game.