This past Saturday, Jan. 18, the Bisons defeated the University of Arkansas-Monticello on the road in double overtime. Sophomore guard Jacob Gibson hit the winning 3-pointer with less than one minute remaining.
Other key players were senior forward Hayden Johnson and freshman Will Francis. Johnson had 22 points and 8 rebounds. Francis contributed 16 points as well as four rebounds.
After losing four players, including two starters, earlier this month due to team and university violations, the team is moving forward. With only eight remaining players on the roster, the Bisons continue pressing toward winning the GAC championship.
According to Hudson, the team has rallied together in the past few weeks and is working to keep the energy up throughout the last half of the season.
“I am very proud of the guys and how we have handled adversity,” Hudson said. “But, we have a lot more to prove to ourselves and others.”
Head coach Jeff Morgan said Francis and junior guard Blake McNair have stepped into more playing time and have let fans see their vocal leadership, while senior guard Weston Jameson continues to be a quiet leader on the court.
The team has made appropriate changes to practices and conditioning to make sure the eight remaining players are prepared for the rest of the season.
“I think they are in the right frame of mind and ready to get after it,” Morgan said. “These guys are playing so hard and are entertaining to watch. Win or lose, I know they are going to give us great effort.”
In Saturday’s victory, four players scored 14 or more points. Seven out of eight players scored at least four points. Jameson played all 50 minutes.
“I do not think they are forcing anything,” Morgan said. “They are playing great team basketball. We are unselfish and pass the ball well. It is really exciting to watch from a basketball perspective.”
Gibson said the team is happy with the way they have competed in their last two games. The two victories have given the team needed confidence heading into a tough road stretch.
“We are happy with how we executed last week in a couple of close conference games against good teams,” Gibson said.
The team heads into their two road games this week with a 9-6 overall record. They are 6-3 in the GAC and have won six out of their last seven games.
Last night, the Bisons took on Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Tomorrow, they will play against East Central University in Ada, Okla., at 4 p.m.
