Bears end losing streak by gunning down Cowboys
The McNeese State Cowboys, staggered, wounded and knocked out of the saddle for the postseason, were a welcome sight at the Farris Center on Saturday.
The University of Central Arkansas Bears snapped an 10-game losing streak and closed their season on a high with a 78-69 victory over McNeese State, the last team they defeated (on Jan. 24).
The Bears finished their second full season in NCAA Division I at 10-19, 3-12 in the conference. The Cowboys (11-18, 5-11) finished with five straight losses and six of their last eight.
"I've had a lot of seasons that we haven't won our last game because we've lost in tournaments," said UCA coach Rand Chappell. "It's nice to go into the offseason with a win. We finished with 10 victories and our heads up."
Back-to-back 3-point baskets by Marcus Pillow and Mitch Rueter, a driving basket by Brooks Taylor, a baseline jumper by Rueter and a basket by Landrell Brewer helped push a 30-25 halftime lead to the first of two 10-point leads early in the second half. UCA built a 61-46 lead at 7:46 before the Cowboys hit a hot shooting streak and made it interesting with baskets off UCA turnovers.
UCA had a 21-14 advantage in second-chance points and hit seven more free throws than the Cowboys while each team had an equal number of free throws.
"One of the things we have done best all year is take the ball to the basket and I thought we did a good job attacking all day," Chappell said.
Sophomore Imad Quahwash had one of this best games of his career at point guard, giving energy and balance to the UCA offense throughout the game.
"That's kind of Imad's calling card, playing with energy," said Chappell. "That's one thing he does is play hard. The opening minutes of the game, he changed the feel of the game. You look at his numbers, nine points, nine rebounds, five assists and no turnovers in 32 minutes, that's pretty solid for a point guard. That gives you something to look forward to in the future." The rebounds and assists were career highs.
The game was the finale for two UCA seniors, posts Brian Marks and Landrell Brewer and both played major roles.
Marks, from Las Vegas, was four of five from the field for eight points, five rebounds and three blocks. Brewer had six points, nine rebounds and a block. Rueter led the Bears with 19 points, Taylor had 15 and Pillow 13.
"They (the Cowboys) were a big team and we needed Landrell and Brian both to play well for us to win," Chappell said. "Brian has been pretty solid all year with rebounds and blocked shots. His parents (Michael and Morselyn Marks) had never seen him play a college basketball game, so that made for a nice ending all. I think our players have a lot of respect for our two seniors and wanted to send them out with a win."