ARKADELPHIA, Ark., – After trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, the University of North Alabama men's basketball team came up one point short Thursday night at Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers got a go-ahead jumper with 22 seconds remaining and UNA just missed a layup as time expired, giving OBU the 75-74 victory at Vining Arena.
Beaumont Beasley led the Lions with 12 points while Theron Jenkins has 10 points on the night. Jenkins, however, picked up his fifth foul with 2:53 remaining. UNA also spent most of the game without starting center Nick Luttrell, who was ejected in the first half.
OBU was able to take advantage of Luttrell's absence and Jenkins' limited action due to foul trouble. The Tigers held a 20-13 edge in rebounding and recorded 18 second-chance points on the night.
After taking a 36-29 lead at the break, Ouachita Baptist opened the second half on a 9-2 run to grab its largest lead of the game. The Tigers held the 14-point lead on four different occasions, including a 51-37 advantage with 13:45 remaining.
UNA, however, was able to chip away at the deficit, tying the game at 60-60 at the 6:38 mark on a three-point basket by Wes Long. The game would be tied five more times, including a 73-73 deadlock following a three-pointer by Warrick Mastin with 1:29 to play.
Beasley gave the Lions their last lead of the night by hitting one of two free throws in the final minute of play. OBU's Emmanuel Engulu, however, provided the winning margin with a jumper with 22 seconds remaining.
The same two teams will meet again next Thursday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at Flowers Hall.
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