Bucs Triumph In De La Salle
By Rori Eddie

Memphis--The friendlier confines of its own hardwood seemed to serve the trick, as the Christian Brothers University men’s basketball team collected its first Gulf South Conference victory, 87-76, over the University of Arkansas-Monticello inside De La Salle Gymnasium tonight.

Despite a slow start that saw the visiting Boll Weevils sprint to an early 11-2 advantage, the Buccaneers would settle in to find their shooting rhythm behind Paul Walker’s 10 first-half points, including a perfect 2-of-2 from behind the three-point line. (Walker would end with 13 points in the contest.)

Christian Brothers would never trail in the second half, as the Bucs shot a blistering 65.2 percent from the field for the second half, equaling a 57.1 clip for the contest. More impressive, CBU tickled the twine for a 12-of-23 effort from three-point land.

The Buccaneers move to a 4-7 stand overall and own an even 1-1 mark in GSC play, while Arkansas-Monticello slips to 3-8 on the year and 1-1 in league action.

Adam Heitzman collected his second consecutive 20-point-plus outing tonight, behind an 8-of-11 shooting performance. The 6’5" sophomore forward finished with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal in his 34 minutes of play.

Brandon Corbin would also find double-figures, as the senior forward netted 16 points, while the guard tandem of Matt Francis and Clint Dowdle scored 11 and 10 points, respectively. The backcourt duo combined for 13 assists, nine rebounds and four steals.

Orlando Hampton paced the Boll Weevil offensive attack with a game-high 33 points, including seven three-pointers made.

CBU will return to the road, Thursday, January 10th, as the Bucs travel to Conway, AR to square-off with GSC foe Central Arkansas at 8 PM.