Weevils Earn Co-Champion Honors With Loss To Southern Nazarene

27th Feb 2017 | Posted by Jeff Young

BETHANY, Oklahoma - The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team was defeated on the road by Great American Conference opponent Southern Nazarene by a final score of 83-81.

Despite the loss against the Crimson Storm, the Weevils still conclude the 2016-17 regular season as GAC Regular Season Co-Champions with East Central University as both programs finished with a conference record of 17-5.

Arkansas-Monticello (21-5, 17-5 GAC) found itself locked in a tight battle against the Crimson Storm of SNU (18-10, 15-7 GAC) early on in the opening half, but the Weevils managed to build a 42-37 lead heading into the break over Southern Nazarene. SNU began the second half on a 9-2 run and ultimately took the lead over UAM.

Each program traded leads throughout the remainder of the second half, but with just 00:13 seconds remaining in the contest, Derylton Hill knocked down two straight free throws to give the Weevils the 81-80 advantage. However a three-pointer by the Crimson Storm, and a failed three-point attempt by UAM all with just seconds left in regulation saw Southern Nazarene claim the victory at 83-81 in the end.

Offensively UAM was led by senior Vicktor Arnick who totaled a career-high in a Weevil uniform 26 points on 5-of-12 shooting overall. Arnick also went on to pull down a team-high six rebounds.

Multiple other Weevils finished the day in double-digit scoring which included Karim Mawuenyega with 16 points, Tyrin Jones with 13, and Cobe Goosby added 13 points as well. Both Mawuenyega and Goosby recorded a team-high six boards on the afternoon also.

Final team statistics in the contest for the Arkansas-Monticello included 49 percent shooting from the floor (24-for-49), 38 percent beyond the arc (6-for-16), and 84 percent on foul shots (27-for-32). The Crimson Storm finished the day shooting 52 percent (33-for-64) overall, 44 percent on three-pointers (10-for-23), and 64 percent from the free throw line (7-for-11).

UAM will hit the court next on Thursday, March 2, as the number two seeded Weevils will square off against the number seven seed Harding University in the opening round of the GAC Championship Tournament in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with tip-off scheduled for 2:15 p.m.