SHAWNEE – Filling the void of its best defenders and scorers in the painted area proved to be an issue again for Oklahoma Baptist (10-9, 7-6 GAC) as Arkansas-Monticello (6-13, 2-11 GAC) pulled out a stunning 68-58 victory over the Bison inside the Noble Complex on Saturday afternoon.
OBU scored just 10 points in the paint tonight, the fewest all season. Meanwhile, the Boll Weevils scored nearly 50% (32) of its point total down low.
The Bison were without rim-protectors Nigel Wilcox, Kayden Carter, and Trey Doomes for another contest. Their absence helped UAM claim a 29-27 advantage in rebounds.
Everything went the Boll Weevils' way today as they posted a tie of their highest field-goal percentage this season, a mark UAM hadn't achieved in nine games.
Oklahoma Baptist was the opposite. The ball and net were not in agreement as the squad finished at a 34.7% clip, its lowest of the season.
OBU made nine of 30 attempts from beyond the arc, led by Ethan Scott's four makes. Scott led the team in scoring for the first time this season, matching his career-high in points (12) for the fourth time. The only other Bison in double figures, Joshua Udoumoh, tallied 10 points including a team-best 6-7 showing at the free throw line.
Paul King recorded three field goals and a freebie for eight points, while Ricky Brown and D.J. Freeman scored six points apiece. Freeman added six rebounds, a match of the team-high brought down by Trey Green. Green coupled the total with five points.
Play in the opening half was neck-and-neck until a Caleb Riggs made-jumper put OBU ahead 17-13 at the 11:50 mark. The advantage only lasted a moment as Arkansas-Monticello went 3-4 from deep over the next 4:52 minutes to overtake the lead, 23-21.
UAM would control the rest of the stanza, with its lead reaching 12, before waltzing into the break with a 37-25 cushion.
The Boll Weevils keep their foot on the gas in the closing half, shooting a blistering 63.2% percent to seal things up. On the other hand, Oklahoma Baptist shot 32.1%, including a 5-18 mark from deep.
The Bison threatened late, even coming within four under the seven-minute mark, but UAM kept making baskets and finished the victory.
OBU will look to snap out of its blues next week, as a three-day trip in the natural state will feature matchups against Ouachita Baptist (9-8, 7-6 GAC) and Henderson State (8-11, 5-8 GAC) The Bison will take on the Tigers first on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Arkadelphia, Ark.
