TUPELO, Miss. — A series of unfortunate events led to the UCA Bears demise Saturday night in the GSC Tournament.

Montevallo (23-6) knocked off the Bears (22-7) 60-56 in a game that turned into a nail-bitter down the stretch.

The Bears led by as much as eight in the second half, but the Falcons were able to chip away at the lead.

“It happened real quick,” Bears coach Rand Chappell said. “We went from having a cushion to it being anyone’s ball game real fast.”

UCA was leading 52-50 with under a minute left when Montevallo sent UCA center Nedzad Biberovic to the line. Biberovic isn’t known for his free throw shooting. He missed the first, but nailed the second giving the Bears a 53-50 lead.

On the next play Biberovic fouled a driving James Hall. Hall nailed the layup and the ensuing free throw to tie the game with 39 seconds left.

The Falcons then quickley fouled DeWayne Hart, another Bear not known for hsi free throw shooting. Hart missed both shots. On the second Lee Reliford was called for his fifth foul and sent Caleb Kennedy to the line.

Kennedy nailed both free throws giving the Falcons a 55-53 lead. Lamar Grimes got to the line and made one of two. The Bears fouled Dayton Miller, who made one of two to make it 56-54 with 23 seconds left.

After a timeout the Bears looked to have a good play called until Darryl Jones threw a weak pass to the wing that was picked off by Hall. Chris Gray fouled Hall before he could get away. Hall went ahead and knocked down both free throws to give UM a 58-54 lead.

Grimes took it all the way for two more points, and two more Hall free throws ended the game.

“It was a very physical game,” UM coach Danny Young said. “We didn’t really respond until late in the game. It took us a long time, but we were able to calm down.”

The Bears held Montevallo to just 29 percent shooting, but shot 21 less free throws.

Montevallo shot 28-for-37 from the free throw stripe, while the Bears shot 8-for-16.

Hall finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Falcons. Marcus Kennedy finished with 13 points and Miller had 12.

Grimes led the Bears with 18 points, Reliford had 14 points.

The Falcons will face Delta State at 2:45 tomorrow for the GSC Tournament Championship.

The Bears will wait for tomorrow to find out if they get a bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

UCA was No. 5 in this week’s South Region rankings and the top eight teams get a bid to the tournament. With teams below and above the Bears losing, chances are good the Bears will get a nod.

“We’re looking forward to playing next week,” Chappell said. “We’re looking forward to the trip, wherever it might be.”





		Falcons derail Bears shot at GSC championship

		TUPELO, Miss. — A series of unfortunate events led to the UCA Bears demise Saturday night in the GSC Tournament. Montevallo (23-6) knocked off the Bears (22-7) 60-56 in a game that turned into a nail-bitter down the stretch. The Bears led by as much as eight in the second half, but the Falcons were able to chip away at the lead. “It happened real quick,” Bears coach Rand Chappell said. “We went from having a cushion to it being anyone’s ball game real fast.” UCA was leading 52-50 with under a minute left when Montevallo sent UCA center Nedzad Biberovic to the line. Biberovic isn’t known for his free throw shooting. He missed the first, but nailed the second giving the Bears a 53-50 lead. On the next play Biberovic fouled a driving James Hall. Hall nailed the layup and the ensuing free throw to tie the game with 39 seconds left. The Falcons then quickley fouled DeWayne Hart, another Bear not known for hsi free throw shooting. Hart missed both shots. On the second Lee Reliford was called for his fifth foul and sent Caleb Kennedy to the line. Kennedy nailed both free throws giving the Falcons a 55-53 lead. Lamar Grimes got to the line and made one of two. The Bears fouled Dayton Miller, who made one of two to make it 56-54 with 23 seconds left. After a timeout the Bears looked to have a good play called until Darryl Jones threw a weak pass to the wing that was picked off by Hall. Chris Gray fouled Hall before he could get away. Hall went ahead and knocked down both free throws to give UM a 58-54 lead. Grimes took it all the way for two more points, and two more Hall free throws ended the game. “It was a very physical game,” UM coach Danny Young said. “We didn’t really respond until late in the game. It took us a long time, but we were able to calm down.” The Bears held Montevallo to just 29 percent shooting, but shot 21 less free throws. Montevallo shot 28-for-37 from the free throw stripe, while the Bears shot 8-for-16. Hall finished with 24 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Falcons. Marcus Kennedy finished with 13 points and Miller had 12. Grimes led the Bears with 18 points, Reliford had 14 points. The Falcons will face Delta State at 2:45 tomorrow for the GSC Tournament Championship. The Bears will wait for tomorrow to find out if they get a bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament. UCA was No. 5 in this week’s South Region rankings and the top eight teams get a bid to the tournament. With teams below and above the Bears losing, chances are good the Bears will get a nod. “We’re looking forward to playing next week,” Chappell said. “We’re looking forward to the trip, wherever it might be.”