Jags hold off late rally to defeat UALR 66-64
South Alabama held off a Arkansas-Little Rock’s late rally with two key free throws by Ken Williams for a 66-64 win Monday night. The win evens the Jaguars conference record at 4-4 and 6-12 overall while UALR falls to 6-11 and 1-6 in Sun Belt play.
The Jaguars led by as many as 14 points early in the second half and led by 12 midway through the second half before a 15-3 run by the Trojans over a span of almost seven minutes tied the game at 61 each with 3:31 left. During that span, the Jags had eight turnovers.
However freshman Abdul Lewis answered for the Jags and junior Barrington Stevens III hit a free throw with under a minute left in the game to give USA a three point advantage.
But the Trojans would tie it up in the final 40.9 seconds on three free throws with the final two coming with 15.5 seconds left to tie the game at 64-64.
Williams would take the possession from the Jags half of the court and drove the rest of the way before the Trojans could foul him. After a UALR time out, Williams sunk both shots.
Josh Hagins put up a desperation shot that fell short of the basket giving the Jaguars the 66-64 win.
The Jags were led by Williams and his 20 points which is his fourth consecutive 20-point game. Williams made three 3-pointers, tied a career high with seven rebounds and a team-high four assists.
Dionte Ferguson added 15 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Taishaun Johnson added 12 and Lewis added 10.
South Alabama will look to win their third consecutive game when they travel to Boone, NC for the first time to face Appalachian State on Thursday. Tip off is scheduled for 6:30pm.