TUPELO, Miss. — The UCA Bears came out of the gates shooting as hot as they have in a while, then in the second half just played a little keep away to fend off the Alabama-Hunstville Chargers 65-58 Thursday night.

“Huntsville is an excellent team,” Bears coach Rand Chappell said. “They were playing hot. You never know how your team will come out when the tournament rolls around.”

The Bears (22-6) shot 51.6 percent in the first half and were able to pull away by as many as 18.

DeWayne Hart gave UCA a 36-18 lead with 2: 45 left in the half when he hit a 3-pointer.

“[The shot] was there, and I’m confident anyway, so I’m gonna shoot it regardless,” Hart said.

Nedzad Biberovic altered many UAH shots in the first half and also grabbed 10 boards for the Bears.

“Fifty five — I can’t pronounce his name — he bothers everything,” UAH coach Lennie Acuff said.

Chappell agreed.

“He takes away a lot of easy goals.”

UAH (16-10) got two more scores to cut into the lead, but Lamar Grimes stole the ball with time winding down and layed a bucket in with a second left in the half to give UCA a 38-22 halftime lead.

In the second half the Chargers kept trying to slice into the UCA lead. But they weren’t even able to gain much ground when the Bears went field goal-less for 10 and a half minutes. UCA was able to drain a few free throws during the span, and get stops when it needed them.

The Bears drought finally ended when Lamar Grimes hit a 3-pointer to make the score 59-48 with 2:45 left in the game.

UAH pulled within seven when Graham Aderholt hit a 3 with 1:45 left, but with the Bears spreading the floor and running the clock UAH was forced to pretty much foul the rest of the way.

That turned out bad for the Chargers, who fouled Hart. Hart hasn’t been the greatest from the line this year, but knocked down four straight down the stretch.

“A little extra practice hasn’t hurt,” Hart said of his free throws. “I’ve been going to the gym at night and working on getting some air under the ball.”

Hart finished with 15 points and was 6-for-10 from the line. Grimes finished with 18 for UCA. Chris Gray had 10.

Aderholt led UAH with 14, Jason Smith had 13.

“They’re 22-6 and it’s not by accident,” Acuff said of UCA. “They’re awfully good.”

The Bears will now face the No. 1 team from the East and last year’s tournament champions, Montevallo at 7:30.

The Falcons (22-6) knocked off Ouachita Baptist 60-47 earlier today.

“They’ve played excellent basketball all year,” Chappell said. “They’re as good a team as we’re going to see in this tournament and in the next tournament. It should be a good national-type game tomorrow. Hoefully we can steep up to the challenge.”

Hart’s ready.

“It’s tournament time,” he said. “I’ve been lookin’ foward to this all year. I love the crowd. I love the people talkin’ noise.”





		No charge; Bears knock off UAH

		TUPELO, Miss. — The UCA Bears came out of the gates shooting as hot as they have in a while, then in the second half just played a little keep away to fend off the Alabama-Hunstville Chargers 65-58 Thursday night. “Huntsville is an excellent team,” Bears coach Rand Chappell said. “They were playing hot. You never know how your team will come out when the tournament rolls around.” The Bears (22-6) shot 51.6 percent in the first half and were able to pull away by as many as 18. DeWayne Hart gave UCA a 36-18 lead with 2: 45 left in the half when he hit a 3-pointer. “[The shot] was there, and I’m confident anyway, so I’m gonna shoot it regardless,” Hart said. Nedzad Biberovic altered many UAH shots in the first half and also grabbed 10 boards for the Bears. “Fifty five — I can’t pronounce his name — he bothers everything,” UAH coach Lennie Acuff said. Chappell agreed. “He takes away a lot of easy goals.” UAH (16-10) got two more scores to cut into the lead, but Lamar Grimes stole the ball with time winding down and layed a bucket in with a second left in the half to give UCA a 38-22 halftime lead. In the second half the Chargers kept trying to slice into the UCA lead. But they weren’t even able to gain much ground when the Bears went field goal-less for 10 and a half minutes. UCA was able to drain a few free throws during the span, and get stops when it needed them. The Bears drought finally ended when Lamar Grimes hit a 3-pointer to make the score 59-48 with 2:45 left in the game. UAH pulled within seven when Graham Aderholt hit a 3 with 1:45 left, but with the Bears spreading the floor and running the clock UAH was forced to pretty much foul the rest of the way. That turned out bad for the Chargers, who fouled Hart. Hart hasn’t been the greatest from the line this year, but knocked down four straight down the stretch. “A little extra practice hasn’t hurt,” Hart said of his free throws. “I’ve been going to the gym at night and working on getting some air under the ball.” Hart finished with 15 points and was 6-for-10 from the line. Grimes finished with 18 for UCA. Chris Gray had 10. Aderholt led UAH with 14, Jason Smith had 13. “They’re 22-6 and it’s not by accident,” Acuff said of UCA. “They’re awfully good.” The Bears will now face the No. 1 team from the East and last year’s tournament champions, Montevallo at 7:30. The Falcons (22-6) knocked off Ouachita Baptist 60-47 earlier today. “They’ve played excellent basketball all year,” Chappell said. “They’re as good a team as we’re going to see in this tournament and in the next tournament. It should be a good national-type game tomorrow. Hoefully we can steep up to the challenge.” Hart’s ready. “It’s tournament time,” he said. “I’ve been lookin’ foward to this all year. I love the crowd. I love the people talkin’ noise.”

				Chris Gray drives past a UAH defender.