MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team earned a 67-64 win over rival Southern Arkansas University on Thursday night from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas thanks to a three-point shot in the final few seconds from KJ Lesure to lift the Weevils by the Muleriders. At the break, UAM was down 18 points, but found a way in the second period to steal the come-from-behind win.
 
The Weevils worked their hardest in the final eight minutes in the contest. With the team down by single-digits, some big plays by a few key players turned out to be the difference in the game.
 
In the first period, there just was not much life from the UAM squad as they went down early. Trailing early on, they did manage to take the lead with 11:49 left to play in the period thanks to a free throw from Marcus Gilbert, but SAU responded.
 
With 5:44 remaining in the half, the Muleriders made it a 10-point advantage following a run, and later, wet ahead by 18 after a late three and a layup in transition to make the lead, 41-23, at halftime.
 
The game was still mostly in the Muleriders hands until there were a little over 14 minutes remaining. Down 52-34, the Weevils went on a run of their own to make the lead single-digits thanks to a pair of threes from Austin Hardy and Marcus Gilbert. A few moments later, they got within two points following a layup from Justin Slocum.
 
With 4:20 remaining, the Weevils took the lead for the second time on the day after Denzel McDuffey got to the line for a free throw, going ahead, 59-58.
 
SAU then took the lead back and held onto it until the final few seconds of the game. With UAM down, 64-63, after Jeremiah Alexander hit a layup to make it a one-point game, the Weevils drew up a play when they got the ball back with 20 seconds on the clock. Gilbert pushed the ball up the floor but slipped and handed the ball to Lesure. Without hesitation, Lesure then pulled up from downtown to hit the three and give the Weevils a 66-64 lead with four seconds left.
 
Lesure was then fouled seconds later and hit one-of-two free throws to make it a three-point lead late. SAU had one second to draw up a play of its own, but it missed the shot, and UAM went on to win the game, 67-64.
 
Four UAM players finished in double-figures for the contest including Lesure, Gilbert, Hardy and Alexander.
 
Lesure led the way with 19 points, three assists and four steals, while Gilbert added 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
Hardy had 11 points and five boards while Alexander added 10 points and five boards.
 
With the win, the Weevils improve to 17-9 overall and 9-8 in Great American Conference play while SAU falls to 10-13 overall and 7-10 in league games. The Weevils are now sixth in the GAC standings with five games left on their regular season schedule.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will next play Arkansas Tech University on Saturday from the Steelman Field House in Monticello. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. following the women's game.