The University of Central Arkansas men’s basketball team started the first game of the 2015-16 season by losing on the road Saturday Nov. 14 to the University of Tulsa 98-81.
Sophomore guard Jordan Howard, junior guard Derreck Brooks, junior guard Jeff Lowery, senior forward Justin Foreman and senior Jake Zuilhof were the five starters for the Bears.
In the first half, the Bears were hot from behind the arc as they managed to hit six of 11 three-point baskets at 54.5%.
At one point the Bears came within two points of the Golden Hurricanes after a Brooks two-point basket cut the Golden Hurricanes lead to 32-30 with 3:55 left in the half.
Brooks led the team in the first half with 12 points followed by Howard with 11. Howard also made a three-point basket with one second left in the first half sending the Bears into halftime trailing the Golden Hurricanes 44-38.
The Bears started the second half hot as they managed to decrease the Tulsa lead to one point after a three-point basket by Foreman and a quick two-point basket by Howard.
However, the Golden Hurricanes responded quickly and took off with a 17-2 run which made the score 61-45.
Later in the half, the Golden Hurricanes managed to stretch the lead to 78-63 with 9:31 left in the game. Shortly after the Bears came within nine points after going on a 6-0 run, making the score 78-69. The Golden Hurricanes quickly adjusted taking off with a 10-0 run of their own which gave them a 19-point lead, making the score 78-69 with 6:28 left in the game.
Although the Bears outrebounded the Golden Hurricanes 32-30, the Bears also turned the ball over 18 times compared to the Golden Hurricanes 11 turnovers.
The Bears were led by Brooks who made five three-point baskets and ended the night with 25 points, followed by Howard who added 16 points and Foreman who added 14 points.
“I think the Tulsa game gave us confidence going forward,” said Brooks. “We were able to see how we match up with teams that have been to the NCAA tournament. We obviously have things to work on, but we think we can compete with anyone.”
The Bears ended the night shooting 50.9% from the floor and 47.8% from three-point range.
The Bears’ next game is Thursday Nov. 19 on the road against the University of Massachusetts at 6 p.m.
image via ucasports.com
