CONWAY, Ark. _ A trio of University of Central Arkansas Bears combined for 57 points as the University of Central Arkansas Bears dug deep down the stretch and knocked off the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars 80-78 on Saturday in a BracketBusters game at the Farris Center.
Junior LaQuentin Miles (20 points) and seniors Jarvis Garner (19) and Robert Crawford (18) carried the Bears to a victory that broke a five-game losing streak. The Bears (10-16) shot 60 percent from the field and 70 percent at the free-throw line in the second half to overcome a 43-36 halftime deficit.
“For our guys to step up and make some big shots down the stretch, especially at the free-throw line, to get this win, I was really proud of them,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson. “For our team to finally win a game where we had to grind it out, it feels really good. Even though we like to win in a prettier fashion, to finally win a game you have to grind out, is good.
“Because going down the stretch in conference with two on the road and then the conference tournament, we’re going to have to be able to win games like that.’
UCA was down 69-64 with six minutes to play but outscored SIU-E 16-9, including hitting 8 of 11 at the free-throw line, over the final six minutes. Garner hit two to tie the game at 69-69 with 5:14 to play. Oliver Wells completed a three-point play and Miles made 2 of 2 with 2:28 remaining for a 75-73 UCA lead.
The Bears pushed their lead to four points twice over the final 1:54 but each time the Cougars (9-16) answered. Kris Davis scored inside the first time to close it to two points but Miles made a pair at the line for a 79-75 margin with 17 remaining. SIU-E’s Tim Johnson connected from beyond the arc to close it to 79-78 with just 7 seconds remaining.
The Cougars fouled Garner and he made 1 of 2 at the line and SIU-E’s final three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
For the game, UCA made 20 of 29 at the line (69 percent), while the Cougars made 11 of 12 (91.7 percent). Garner was 6 of 7 and senior center Anthony Borden was 5 of 9 and finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
“It’s been pretty tough around here, losing five in a row, trying to keep the guys focuses and working hard,’ said Williamson. “But I’m just proud of our guys for coming to work everyday, and just competing today. We got down early but our guys fought and we found a way to get through this adversity.’
UCA jumps back into Southland Conference play this week with road games at Lamar on Thursday and McNeese State on Saturday. The Bears close out the regular season at home against Oral Roberts on Saturday, March 9.
