Junior guard Ashton Price hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot for the University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team on the road Thursday night.
UAM stunned East Central University 61-58 with Price’s three-point shot at the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Okla. The shot from the right side as time expired came just seconds after ECU freshman guard Kameron Newsome hit a game-tying three-pointer.
UAM (6-7, 2-5 Great American) led 26-21 at halftime after finishing the first half on a 7-0 run. The Boll Weevils maintained that lead most of the second half, leading by as much as 49-37 with 8:27 remaining in the game. The Tigers (7-6, 2-5) fought back, and junior guard Brandon Mann gave ECU a 55-54 lead with 34 seconds remaining.
Price scored the next four points at the free throw line to restore UAM’s lead until Newsome’s game-tying shot. The buzzer sounded as Price’s game-winner was soaring through the air before spinning around the rim and falling through.
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UAM’s hero finished the night with a season-high 25 points. The buzzer-beater was Price’s only made three-pointer on a night he made 8 of 11 shots from the field and 8 of 8 at the free throw line. He also led all players with eight rebounds.
Senior guard Jakob Zenon and junior forward Josh Smith added 13 points each. Mann led ECU with 14 points and five rebounds.
The Boll Weevils shot 42.6% from the field and made five three-pointers. ECU made four while shooting 35.6%
UAM has now won two of its past three games after starting GAC play 0-4.
WOMEN: ECU 66, UAM 59
The UAM women never led after falling behind in the first quarter.
ECU (6-5, 2-5) opened the game on a 6-0 run and ultimately led 17-6 after the Cotton Blossoms made just 3 of 11 shots in the first quarter.
UAM (5-8, 0-7) got its offense going after the slow start, scoring 16 points each in the second and third quarters before adding 21 in the fourth, but ECU’s offense kept pace. The Blossoms held ECU without a shot from the field over the final 2:18 of the game and cut the deficit to as little as 65-59 with 9 seconds remaining. That came too late with 9 seconds remaining.
Senior UAM guard Alindsey Long scored a season-high 30 points, but no other Cotton Blossom scored more than nine. Four Lady Tigers reached double figures, led by senior Peyton Mosley’s 16.
ECU shot 50% from the field to UAM’s 35.8%.
UAM’s teams will visit Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant on Saturday. The women’s game will tip off at 3 p.m. at Bloomer Sullivan Arena, with the men’s game to follow.