KANSAS CITY, MO. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Men's Basketball team is in Kansas City, Missouri to open up their 2023-24 season at the Central Region Challenge, hosted by Pittsburg State. The Weevils dropped their first match-up of the year, falling to Winona State University, 62-42.

Zane Nelson, a junior newcomer, led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (0-1) with 20 points, going 5-14 on field goals and 2-6 on shots from three-point range. Nelson led the Weevils in free throws, going 8-8 throughout the game. He also contributed two rebounds and one steal in his 38 minutes played.

Returning senior Isaac Jackson posted 18 points throughout the season opener. Jackson went 7-13 on field goals, 3-4 on threes, and 1-1 on free throws with two defensive rebounds and an assist.
 
Winona State (1-0) was led by Connor Dillon and Connor Drew with 23 and 19 points.

Isaac Jackson gave the Weevils their first points of the season, hitting the opening points of the game on a jumper. The lead was cut short, as Winona State outscored UAM 10 points to 2, pushing the Warriors ahead 10-5. Although the Weevils fell behind, they would stay on the Winona State heels for the remainder of the half. The Warriors remained in control of the game for the remainder of the half. UAM pushed back to within three, but would see the half come to a close down six after a last second three for the Warriors. UAM would go 26.67% on field goals. They would hit 8 out of 30 attempts, as well was 3-12 on three-point shots. The Weevils were able to put up 19 points throughout the entirety, down 25-19 as the two teams would head to the locker rooms.

The second half opened with the Warriors increasing their lead over the Weevils, seeing a 20-point lead at its peak. Arkansas-Monticello would pick away at Winona State's lead throughout the half, putting themselves within 11 with 6:30 left on the clock. The Warriors once again found momentum, building on their lead over UAM for the remainder of the game. The season opener came to a close with the Weevils falling to the Warriors of Winona State in their first game of the 2023 Central Region Challenge, 62-46.

Arkansas-Monticello committed 8 turnovers in the entirety of the match.

 
UP NEXT
The Weevils return to the court in Kansas City tomorrow, November 11 at 5:00 p.m. to take on Minnesota State University - Mankato, before returning to Steelman Field House to face John Melvin University on Tuesday, November 14.

How to follow the Weevils: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Men's Basketball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

#GoWeevils | #WeevilNation