UAM Hoops Outlasts East Central in Thriller

MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team defeated East Central University in Great American Conference action Saturday afternoon by a final score of 104-99.

The Weevils (3-0, 2-0 GAC) recorded 31 total assists as a team in the match-up against East Central (0-4, 0-2 GAC), just six shy of breaking the Arkansas-Monticello school record of 36 set back in 1991.

The Tigers held a slim lead throughout the opening half as UAM found itself down as many as nine points on two occasions. East Central pushed the lead out to 14 points early in the second half after a 20-7 run in the visitors favor gave them the advantage. The Weevils answered back however generating a 21-6 run of its own to reclaim the lead at 75-73 midway through the second half. UAM continued to ride that momentum for the remainder of the half and ultimately seal the win over East Central at 104-99.

The UAM offensive attack was anchored by junior Derylton Hill with a game-high 30 points on 13-for-19 shooting from the field. Hill led the Weevils in rebounding as well, pulling down five total boards and also added three assists to his stat-line.

Four other Weevils finished the day scoring in double figures as Vicktor Arnick scored 19 points and knocked down four three-pointers, Tyrin Jones added 16 points and both Cobe Goosby and Karim Mawunyega finished with 13 points each.

Mawunyega led UAM in assists in the match-up with nine total, Goosby tallied eight and Jones dished out five assists as well.

Arkansas-Monticello ended the contest shooting 59 percent from the field (36-for-61), 64 percent from beyond the arc (9-for-14) and 64 percent on free throws (23-for-36). ECU ended the match-up at 59 percent from the field (34-for-58), 54 percent on threes (13-for-24) and 75 percent on foul shots (18-for-24).

The Weevils will hit the court next on Friday, November 25 as UAM will travel to Kansas City, Missouri to take on the University of Missouri-Kansas City in an exhibition match-up with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.