Box Score LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -
Kechan Myers made a jumper with 53 seconds left, a
critical free throw with 19.6 seconds left and again with 1.3 left as
the University of New Orleans defeated UALR 77-75 on Saturday evening.
The win over UALR gave UNO their first sweep of the Sun Belt Arkansas swing since the 1996-97 season while spoiling the Trojans homecoming.
UNO (17-9, 7-7 SBC) received a game-high 30 points from
Bo McCalebb, who scored 30 or more points for the fourth time in five games.
Kyndall Dykes and Myers had 15 points apiece for the Privateers.
UALR (15-10, 7-7 SBC) got 24 points and 10 rebounds from Mike Smith. Steven Moore added 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Trojans.
UALR started the game where they left off in New Orleans in the first matchup between the teams as Moore made two early three-pointers to give the Trojans a 6-4 lead.
Smith for the Trojans and Myers for the Privateers would trade baskets back and forth for five possessions with Myers making two three-pointers during the exchange to allow UNO to tie up the game at 14 apiece.
UNO went scoreless from the Myers three-pointer for 4:45 of action before Dykes made two free throws. UALR scored seven points during the stretch to give the Trojans a 21-14 lead.
Down by nine points at 27-18, McCalebb began to cut into the Trojans lead with his very own six point run. McCalebb made a three-pointer and after missing a free throw, made his next three to bring UNO within three at 27-24.
UALR would push their lead back up to eight after a 6-0 run. The Privateers who would make 12 of 16 free throws during the opening half saw McCalebb make three straight after being fouled on a three-point attempt.
McCalebb would cap his 17-point first half with a lay-up with 14 seconds left. The Trojans would hold the lead going into the break, 38-32 as a Rashad Moss basket as time expired provided the final points of the half.
The Trojans would flirt with a double-digit lead at the beginning of the second half, but the Privateers would not let that happen. Dykes would score four straight UNO points before McCalebb scored four straight of his own as UNO cut the lead to one at 48-47.
Myers tied the game with a free throw at 48 apiece before a T.J Worley three-pointer put UNO on top 51-48 to cap a 12-0 run. UALR went without a field goal during the stretch, going four minutes and 20 seconds without a basket before Smith finally ended the drought for the Trojans.
A Dykes dunk followed a free throw gave UNO a four-point lead at 54-50 with 10:41 remaining in the game. Dykes would get a block on the other end sending McCalebb on a fast-break to extend the UNO lead to six.
The Privateers would maintain their lead, but Smith would drive the Trojans back into the game, scoring four straight UALR points to pull the host within two at 59-57 before a Worley jumper would push the UNO lead back up to four. A Worley free throw two minutes later would give UNO a five-point advantage.
UALR would tie the game at 62 apiece on a Mike Mouzy three-pointer before a Rashad Moss free throw would give UALR a one-point advantage with 4:35 remaining in the contest. A three-point play by McCalebb would swing the lead back in UNO's favor, 65-63.
Smith tied the game at 65 on two free throws before
James Parlow scored his first points of the game from long range, putting the Privateers up 68-65 with 3:30 left.
The two teams would continue to battle it out with ties at 68 and 70. Moore would give UALR the advantage at 73-72 after making three straight free throws. Myers put the Privateers back out in front with a jumper with 53 seconds.
Parlow would come up with a steal and Myers would make a free throw to give UNO a two-point lead. A charge foul on UALR gave McCalebb a trip to the line on the other side after a quick foul on the throw-in. McCalebb made one to give the Privateers a three-point lead at 76-73.
A foul on Moore by McCalebb sent UALR to the line. Moore made both free throws to pull UALR within one at 76-75 with 2.6 seconds left in the contest. Myers was fouled quickly and sent to the line with 1.3 seconds left where he would ice the game with another free throw as UALR could not make a very long three-pointer.
The Privateers return home from the Arkansas trip with a Wednesday tilt against Louisiana-Lafayette at the Human Performance Center. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
