Boll Weevils Look to Continue Winning Ways

Courtesy University of Arkansas at Monticello Athletics Department

MONTICELLO — Following a pair of conference victories last week, the University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team is set to open a four-game home stand this Thursday, January 31 against Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Including last week’s 72-59 win over Southern Arkansas at home and a 60-52 win over Henderson State on the road, the Boll Weevils (11-6, 6-5 Great American Conference) have won seven of their last nine contests entering the upcoming home stand. UAM is 8-1 inside Steelman Field House this season and 19-3 at home over the past two years. 

UAM ranks 10th in the league with an average of 66.9 points per game. However, the Boll Weevils have limited their opponents to less than 60 points nine times this season to hold a league-best average of 59.1 points allowed per game.

Senior Kori Forge averaged 24 points in last week’s victories, solidifying the top spot in the league at an average of just under 21 points per game. Senior A.J. Calhoun reached double-digits in the rebounding category in each of last week’s games to increase his conference lead in rebounding to 9.2 per contest.

The Boll Weevils open this week’s slate on Thursday against the Rangers (8-8, 6-4 GAC) of Northwestern Oklahoma State, a team that defeated UAM 68-54 on December 1 in Alva, Okla. The Rangers have the league’s best scoring offense at 76.3 points per game, but the team’s scoring defense ranks last in the league at 76.4 points allowed per game.

NWOSU is led by the GAC’s fourth and fifth leading scorers. Jonathan Freemeyer leads the team at 17.2 points per game, while the reigning GAC player of the Week, Daryl Glover, follows right at 17 points per outing. Glover posted 28 and 25 points, respectively, in last week’s 89-86 loss to Henderson State and 90-75 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State.

Thursday’s tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Steelman Field House.

On Saturday, UAM hosts Southwestern Oklahoma State for a 4 p.m. tipoff. The Bulldogs (7-10, 6-5 GAC) have lost their last three contests, including a 90-75 setback to NWOSU on the road. Earlier this year, SWOSU defeated UAM 68-59 in Weatherford, Okla.

SWOSU heads to its Thursday night matchup against Southern Arkansas ranking ninth in the league at 67.3 points per game. The Bulldogs rank eighth in the league in defense with an average of 70.6 points allowed per game. SWOSU is led by three scorers hovering around the 12 point average. Thomas Davis leads the team at 12.8, followed by Dominick Cornelius at 12.5 and Marin Zelalija at 12.3.