Box Score HOUSTON, Texas ? The UALR men's basketball team (5-1) escaped Reliant Arena with a 59-52 win over Rice (0-4) on Tuesday night after holding the Owls scoreless over the final 4:02. Rice took a 52-51 lead with 4:02 remaining but went 0-for-4 from the field with three turnovers down the stretch.
UALR went 5-of-6 from the foul line over the final 20 seconds to preserve the win, and was led by 12 points, six rebounds and three assists from junior De'Andre Eggins. The Trojans overcame 20 turnovers by enjoying a +16 rebounding edge on the glass (39-to-23) while holding the Owls to just three offensive boards.
On a night that featured 14 lead changes and seven tie scores, it was the Trojans' defense in the final minutes that picked up the slack for an offense which went 8-of-22 from the field over the final 20 minutes (36.4 percent).
“I was really proud of our guys tonight, especially midway through the second half when they really kept their composure,” said UALR head coach Steve Shields. “Our guys really showed some poise down the stretch, and it all starts with our point guards.
“I thought we grew as a basketball team tonight through our resiliency.”
Trailing by seven points, 43-36, Rice embarked on a 16-8 run, capped off by a three pointer from Cory Pflieger, to go ahead 52-51. Senior Rashad Moss gave the Trojans some life moments later by drawing a charge from Rice's Patrick Britton in the paint.
The Trojans reclaimed the lead, 53-52, when Eggins found sophomore Mike Smith under the basket for a layup. Junior John Fowler then came up with a steal on Rice's ensuing possession, and converted 1-of-2 foul shots to give the Trojans a two-point lead, 54-52, with 1:37 to go.
UALR got a stop on the defensive end after Fowler's free throw, but gave Rice an opening with a turnover of its own. The Owls were again unable to capitalize, as a missed three pointer by Jasen Williams led to a trip to the foul line for Eggins ? who calmly sank both shots to give UALR a 56-52 lead with 20 seconds remaining.
Trailing by four points, Rice's Paulius Packevicius stepped out of bounds under the basket on the Owls' next possession to seal the win for the Trojans. Senior Terrance Akins and Fowler combined to go 3-for-4 at the foul line over the final 11 seconds to bring the game to its 59-52 finale.
Eggins was one of three Trojans to score in double figures, as sophomore Steven Moore added 11 points and three assists in just 13 minutes of work, while Smith chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Pflieger and Williams led the Owls with 13 points a piece, as the duo combined to go 7-of-11 from three-point range. Packevicius added nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
UALR led by just four points at the break, 27-23, after Rice, which entered the game shooting 25.0 percent from downtown, connected on 5-of-9 three-point attempts in the first half. Williams and Pfleiger scored 15 of the team's 23 first-half points by going a combined 5-of-7 from three point range.
“I felt we weren't as sound defensively as we needed to be in the first half. Rice has some players who are very crafty, and we were leaving our feet too much,” said Shields. “We knew we were going to face their best shot tonight. We're fortunate to get a win against a tough opponent and a very well-coached team.”
The Trojans took their biggest lead of the first half in the closing minute, as a quick 6-0 spurt gave UALR a 27-20 lead with 29 seconds remaining. After a basket by junior Brandon Patterson made it a 23-20 contest, Eggins knocked down a 19-foot jumper and followed with a fastbreak layup off a long defensive rebound.
Rice opened the second half on an 11-2 run by going 5-of-7 from the field out of the gate. Trailing 34-29 with 15:06 to play, the Trojans rattled off a 12-0 run to go ahead 41-34 with 10:30 to go. Moore sparked the run with a three pointer, while junior Shane Edwards added five points off a three pointer and a dunk.
UALR led 43-36 before Rice got back into the game behind reserve Rodney Foster, who scored seven of the team's next 11 points. The Trojans led 51-49 after a pair of free throws by Smith, but Pfleiger answered with a three pointer ? which ended up being the Owls final points of the game.
UALR returns to action Saturday when it welcomes Tulsa to the Jack Stephens Center at 7 p.m.
