MONTICELLO, Ark. – A three-pointer from UAM's Zane Nelson late in the second half gave Arkansas-Monticello (6-8, 4-5 GAC) a slight cushion before a free throw in the game's dwindling seconds handed Oklahoma Baptist (7-8, 4-5 GAC) a 59-57 loss on Thursday evening.
The Boll Weevils ended the game on a 5-2 run despite OBU cutting its deficit to one with 45 seconds left, following a Terry Coner Jr. layup. OBU only attempted one shot after the make, a three-point attempt from Joshua Udoumoh as time expired.
Oklahoma Baptist has lost two of its last three games by three points or less.
The Bison didn't attempt a free throw for the first time in its Division II era, regardless of drawing eight personal fouls. Instead, they netted 24 field goals on 44.4 percent shooting while the Boll Weevils cashed in 14 of its 17 tries at the charity stripe and were held to a 38.0 field-goal percentage.
LEADERS
Coner poured in 22 points, his highest point total of 2024. He fired 52.9 percent from the floor (9-17) and knocked down four triples. It was the fourth time he has recorded at least four three-pointers in a game.
Daniel Ransom paired 12 points on 5-of-7 (71.4%) shooting with a team-high in rebounds (7). He shot a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc while adding two steals and an assist.
Trevin Wade scored 11 points and brought down five rebounds, while Ricky Brown pitched in eight points and a couple of assists. Brown also collected five boards.
FIRST HALF
The home team opened the contest on an 8-3 run before OBU marched back to tie the game at eight-all.
Moments later, a Udoumoh jumper sparked a sprint that put Oklahoma Baptist ahead by seven (21-14) with 7:19 on the clock.
UAM responded with two buckets to draw within two, but another Udoumoh basket kept the Bison out front.
Oklahoma Baptist eventually built its largest lead of nine points right before intermission and took a 35-26 advantage into the break.
SECOND HALF
The Bison remained hot at the start of the closing stanza, building a 45-33 lead eight minutes into the action.
Then, ahead by 10 points with 9:58 remaining, OBU went cold. The Boll Weevils mounted a 10-4 run during the spell and to cut its deficit to two, 52-50.
Oklahoma Baptist stayed in command until a Nelson three-pointer gave Arkansas Monticello its first lead since the opening half.
As mentioned, UAM sealed the deal late for the victory.
NOTES
- OBU's field-goal percentage dropped from 51.7 percent in the inaugural stanza to 36.0 percent in the second half.
- Oklahoma Baptist lost the rebound margin (25-32) for the first time since its Nov. 25 matchup against West Texas A&M.
- The Bison shot 40.9 percent from deep, its best mark in five games.
- OBU forced seven turnovers, the least amount this season.
NEXT UP
The Bison look to rebound against the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas on Saturday. Tip-off inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center is set for 3:00 p.m.
