Southeast Arkansas College rang in its basketball era with a pair of victories over Champion Christian College on Friday at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Four SEARK women’s players scored in double digits in an 81-63 win. That was followed by the SEARK men’s 97-64 victory.
WOMEN: SEARK 81, Champion 63
SEARK (1-0) never appeared to be in trouble against Champion, a four-year program that competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association. The Sharks held an 18-9 after one quarter and were ahead 44-26 at halftime.
Ahmari Anderson scored 17 points and pulled down 4 rebounds to lead SEARK. Anderson made 7 of 10 free throws.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
K’Myri Johnson came off the bench to score 16 points, shooting 6 of 11 from the floor. Johnson also had 4 rebounds.
Amethyst Price had 11 points and Za’Nyah LeFear 10 for the Sharks.
Champion dropped to 0-1 on the season.
MEN: SEARK 97, Champion 64
Jalen Brown scored 19 points, and two Sharks finished with double-doubles in a rout of the Tigers.
Brown was 2 rebounds away from a double-double. He made 6 of 10 shots from the floor and was 6 for 7 in free throws.
Derek Magwood (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Tobias Prall (11 points, 12 rebounds) were the double-double players. Jehu Wright scored 10 points off the bench in the win.
SEARK (1-0) dominated the glass all night, out-rebounding Champion 67-24. They also shot 40 for 75 from the floor, including a 6-for-25 clip from 3-point range, and made 11 of 21 free throws.
Champion (0-1) was led by Isaac Love with 16 points and Dylan Zeigler with 13. The Tigers were held to 20-for-59 shooting (33.9%) from the floor, made 8 of 26 from the 3-point arc, and converted just 16 of 26 free throws.
SEARK’s teams will resume action Thursday in Helena-West Helena against UA-Phillips.