McClure’s shot beats horn, Eastern Illinois

Thursday, November 29, 2012

— De-Shone McClure hit a jumper as time expired to lead Central Arkansas to a 74-72 victory over Eastern Illinois on Wednesday night.

McClure scored only eight points, but his last basket was the difference for UCA (2-3), which led 34-25 at halftime and barely held off a secondhalf surge by Eastern Illinois.

The Bears led 65-56 with 7:20 remaining, but the Panthers came to back to take a 72-69 lead on Josh Piper’s three-pointer with 56 seconds left.

Robert Crawford tied the game at 72-72 with 48 seconds remaining. Cameron Harvey missed a three-point attempt for Eastern Illinois and LaQuentin Miles grabbed the rebound. Miles missed a three-point attempt with three seconds left, but Mc-Clure grabbed the rebound and made the game winner as UCA ended a two-game losing streak.

The Bears shot 49.2 percent (30 of 61) and hit nine threepointers.

Miles led UCA with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting while adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Jarvis Garner had 12 points and seven rebounds, and Zach Padgett added 10.

Morris Woods scored 17 points for Eastern Illinois (3-5).

SWAC MEN

ARIZONA STATE 67, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 54

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff led six minutes into the second half but missed 10 consecutive shots as Arizona State pulled away for a victory Wednesday night. Carrick Felix scored 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting for the Sun Devils (5-1), who scored 17 consecutive points, including four three-pointers, to take a 54-39 lead with 9:11 remaining after leading by 11 in the first half. Lazabian Jackson had a season-high 20 points to lead UAPB (1-5).

The Golden Lions, whose first four losses came by an average margin of 25 points, led 39-37 with 13:55 to play after Jackson hit a 17-footer. But the Golden Lions missed their next 10 shots.

Jonathan Gilling added 13 points, including two three-pointers during the second-half run, for Arizona State.

Mitchell Anderson had 12 points and six rebounds for the Golden Lions. Leading scorer Davon Haynes was held to four points — all in the first half — on 2-of-8 shooting.

Freshman standout Jahii Carson, who averaged 21 points in Arizona State’s first five games, was held to 1-of-5 shooting and 2 points in the first half, but he had 5 assists. He finished with nine points and eight assists.

The Sun Devils shot 30 percent (7 of 23) in the first half but led 27-25 at the break.

Felix had 12 points and four rebounds for the Sun Devils in the first half. Jackson led the Golden Lions with nine points but picked up his third foul with 1:26 remaining before halftime.

Sports, Pages 22 on 11/29/2012