ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball earned a big comeback victory over Henderson State University on the road on Saturday, 81-80. The Weevils had big-time day at the free-throw line going 14-for-14 on the day.
 
The Weevils were ahead at halftime and feeling pretty solid, but a late push by HSU made it tough for UAM down the stretch. The Weevils would later erase a seven-point deficit in the second half to earn the win.
 
Early in the game, KJ Lesure hit some big shots from downtown to give the Weevils an early lead. HSU did tie the game up with 10:50 remaining the half, but Lesure drilled a three to take the advantage back.
 
Seconds later, Denzel McDuffey got free for a layup in the paint to make it a five-point advantage. HSU did keep it within striking distance and took the lead, 29-28, with 6:31 left in the half, but UAM got a big dunk from Austin Hardy to change the momentum a bit. The Weevils would go into halftime ahead, 43-37.
 
Henderson State responded early with some solid play to take a lead of its own with a little over 14 minutes left to play in the game. The Reddies then made it a seven-point advantage a minute and a half later and flirted with that advantage until the final six minutes of the contest.
 
Thanks to Marcus Gilbert, McDuffey and Justin Slocum, the Weevils fought back and took the lead, 74-72, with 3:20 to play. UAM took advantage of some HSU fouls in the final two minutes. Slocum got it started after the bucket and the foul to go up 77-74. UAM then hit its next four free throws and were able to hold off HSU, going on to win, 81-80.
 
Lesure led all UAM scorers with 26 points, while also tallying one rebound and two assists.
 
Hardy, Gilbert, Slocum and McDuffey also finished in double-figures with 13 points, 13 points, 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
 
McDuffey finished with a double-double recording 16 rebounds in the contest.
 
UAM was perfect at the line going 14-for-14. It's the first time in UAM's NCAA era that they've gone perfect at the line when shooting at least 10 free throws in a game.
 
With the win, UAM improves to 16-9 overall and 8-8 in Great American Conference games while Henderson State falls to 15-7 overall and 10-6 in GAC games. The Weevils are now tied for sixth in the GAC standings with seven games remaining on the regular season schedule.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will play rival Southern Arkansas University on Thursday from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas, following the women's game at 7:30 p.m.