Feb. 15, 2007
Box Score
CONWAY, Ark. - Junior Darren Hopkins scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the second half, helping Lamar University hold off a late rally by Central Arkansas in the Cardinals' 86-82 win in Southland Conference men's basketball action at the Farris Center.
Lamar, who has won two straight, improved to 11-14 overall and 5-6 in SLC play. UCA, who lost its fourth straight game, dropped to 8-18 overall and 2-10 in SLC play. The Cardinals return home to host league newcomer Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Lamar held a 37-36 halftime lead, but UCA came out strong to open the second half. The Bears took a 45-40 lead on a layup by Mitch Reuter at 17:04 as UCA outscored the Cardinals 9-3 to start the second half.
Hopkins hit a layup and free throw and James Davis followed with a layup to tie the game at 45-45. A Durrell Nevels jumper at 14:21 put UCA up 49-47, but Brandon Chappell gave the Cardinals a 50-49 with a three-pointer at 14:21.
Frederick Campbell hit a jumper in the lane that put the Bears back on top at 51-50. Once again, Lamar had an answer as Davis hit a layup to put the Cardinals up for good at 52-51 with 13:07 left to play. A Currye Todd three-pointer at 5:36 pushed the lead to 10 points, 74-64.
"The guys played hard and this was a good win on the road," said first-year Lamar coach Steve Roccaforte. "The guys are resilient and tough. They want to play hard and get better, and that's what matters most."
Hopkins was 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, and 8-of-11 from the free throw line in scoring his 25 points. He was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in the second half. Chappell scored 22 points on 8-of-12 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range.
Davis came off the bench to score 12 points and grab eight rebounds and Todd added 10 points. Lamar Sanders grabbed 11 rebounds and chipped in eight points.
Lamar shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) from the field for the game, including 51.9 percent (14-of-27) in the second half, 50 percent (12-of-24) from 3-point range and 69 percent (20-of-29) from the free throw line.
Nevels recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and tied the single-game school record with seven blocked shots to lead UCA. Nate Bowie added 15 points and Reuter chipped in 14. Pillow had 11 and Campbell 10 as all five starters scored in double figures.
UCA shot 51.5 percent (34-of-66) from the field, 21.1 percent (4-of-19) from 3-point range and 71.4 percent (10-of-14) from the free throw line. The Bears forced 18 Lamar turnovers which led to 18 points. UCA also outscored Lamar 46 to 24 in points in the paint.
