SHAWNEE, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Men’s Basketball team headed to Shawnee, Oklahoma to face off against Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday in their thirteenth Great American Conference match-up of the 2022-23 season. The Boll Weevils began the match with a dominant opening half, leading to a 68-58 win over the Bison.
Cole Anderson led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (6-13, 2-11 GAC) with 15 total points in his Saturday evening performance. Anderson shot perfect on field goals, going 6-6 on top hitting 3-4 free throws. he also contributed a team-leading eight rebounds with a block and an assist.
Isaac Jackson contributed 14 points of his own on the night, shooting 6-16 on field goals, 1-3 from three-point range and 1-4 on free throws. He also dished out six rebounds on top of his three rebounds and a steal.
Mario Fantina stepped up for the Weevils, putting 12 points on the board. Fantina went 3-5 on field goals with all of his shots being from outside the three-point line. He was also perfect on free throws, hitting 3-3 on top of his three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Ray Price and Josh Denton were the final two Weevils to put double digits on the board, scoring 10 points each, respectfully. Price shot 4-5 on field goals, 1-2 from outside the line and 1-3 from the free throw line. He also contributed five defensive rebounds, and a single assist, block, and steal. Denton would shoot for 4-9 on field goals and 2-6 on threes on top of his five rebounds and three steals.
Oklahoma Baptist University (10-9, 7-6 GAC) was led by Ethan Scott with a 16 point performance.
The opening 20 minutes of the match would start with the home team scoring a jumper in their first possession of the game. The Boll Weevils would respond with a layup from Cole Anderson, followed by a back and forth battle between the two teams. The lead would change eight total times in the first 13 minutes of play before UAM would pull ahead, courtesy of a Mario Fantina three, for the remainder of the half. The first half would come to a close with Arkansas-Monticello dominating the last third, shooting for 50% on field goals compared to the Bison’s 38% on the half. The teams would head to the locker room with Weevils on top 37-25.
The Weevils were the first to score in the second half as Anderson would find two free throws. As the second 20 minutes continued, Arkansas-Monticello would extend their lead to a high of 16 points. The Bison would claw their way back within four as the two teams battled it out. A 13-3 run would give UAM their breathing room back as time entered the remaining three minutes. The match would come to a close with Arkansas-Monticello on top, 68-58.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 13 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Weevils head home to Steelman Field House on Thursday, February 2 to take on Great American Conference member Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The match will tip off at 7:30 p.m.
All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the UAM Men’s basketball schedule.
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.
Check out the home schedule below for the next opportunity to catch the Weevils at Steelman Field House! STUDENTS! Be sure to come out to the remaining home games of the 2022-23 basketball season and enter for your chance to win $10,000 in the Union Bank Half-Court Challenge. The winner will be selected for a chance to shoot a $10K half-court shot at the final home game of the season. (February 23)
Because the $400 three-pointer was missed at the last home game, a student will have the opportunity at Thursday night’s UAM-NWOSU conference match-up to shoot a three-pointer for$500 at half-time of the Weevils Game. Be sure to show your support and enter for your chance to win.
For official rules and regulations, please click here: https://www.uamsports.com/news/2022/11/21/mens-basketball-the-10-000-union-bank-half-court-challenge-returns-for-the-2022-23-basketball-season.aspx
#GoWeevils | #WeevilNation
