Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team opened the contest with a 13-2 run and never looked back en route to a 78-65 win over Arkansas Tech on Thursday in the first Great American Conference battle of 2021. All five starters for the Weevils posted double-digit scoring efforts with Denzel McDuffey leading the way with 17 points.

The Weevils defense flexed its muscles in the first half holding ATU to just 34.8 percent shooting from the field and only 2-of-10 beyond the three-point line. UAM also forced the Wonder Boys into 11 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, leading to 11 fast break points.

At the break, McDuffey was leading all scorers with 14 points, most of which he got in the final 7 minutes of the first half. Six different Weevils were in the scoring column giving UAM the 32-24 edge at the half.

UAM started the second half with a 15-5 run that was capped of by a Miles Daniels three to push the lead to 18 at the first media timeout. ATU cut that deficit down to nine points with 8:33 to play, but the Weevils responded with 11 straight points highlighted by a fast break dunk my McDuffey.

The Weevils closed out the Wonder Boys at the free throw line making 18-of-23 attempts from the charity stripe in the second half. UAM made 78.9 percent of its free throws on the night to start GAC play with a 78-65 victory over ATU.

McDuffey's 17 points led the way for the Weevils, but he was joined in double digits by Daniels, Dajuan Jones, Lemmie Howard and Max Warren.

Howard cleaned up the glass for UAM with seven rebounds, while Jones created points for the Weevils with four assists and three steals.

With the win, UAM is now 2-0 overall and 1-0 in GAC play while ATU falls to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in league games.

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The Weevils host Harding University on Saturday from Steelman Field House. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. following the women's game.