Clarksville, Ark.-The U of O men's basketball team dropped two games in the University of Central Arkansas Alltel Classic over the weekend.
The Eagles (0-2) were defeated 98-94 in overtime on Friday against Southern Arkansas University (3-1) and 79-59 against UCA (4-0) on Saturday. Southern Arkansas needed a three-point basket with one second remaining in the game to force overtime and steal away a win in the Eagles first game of the season. Ozarks held a 46-44 lead at halftime and dominated the Muleriders for the first ten minutes of the second half. Ozarks would even hold a 71-47 with 10:38 left in the game, but SAU made a ferocious comeback and cut the lead to eight points with 3:25 remaining. Ozarks continued to hold onto the lead and had a three point cushion on two Shannon Scribner free throws with 11 second left to play. However, SAU’s Nick Davis hit a three-pointer with one second left to force overtime. The Muleriders took the lead for good with 3:04 left in the overtime period and held on for a four point victory. The Eagles shot an impressive 93 percent from the free throw line in the game, but committed 21 turnovers in the contest, including three costly ones with under two minutes to play in regulation. Ozarks had five players in double figures, with sophomore forward Josh Joyner leading the charge with 19 points. Reggie Brasfield and Brent Johnson each contributed 16 points. Scribner added 15 points and Mike Taylor had 10 points. Scribner had a team-best 12 rebounds and Joyner grabbed 11 rebounds. Brad Johnson led the squad with 10 assists. The Eagles played the host tournament UCA Bears in their final game of the Alltel Classic. Ozarks hung tight with a much bigger Bears team in the first half, but were unable to overcome an 11 point deficit at intermission. UCA would eventually take a 25 point lead with 11:19 remaining in the game behind a strong inside game. The Bears held the Eagles to a 34 percent shooting clip from the field in the second half to deny any ideas of a comeback. Hamilton scored a career-high 17 points to lead the Eagles. Joyner had a team-best 7 rebounds. The Eagles begin conference play on the road when they travel to Abilene, Texas, to face Hardin-Simmons University on November 29. Ozarks will then play McMurry University on December 1 in Abilene.
Topics: Athletics