Basketball
Bears give Western Illinois free win on last-second free throws
Western Illinois made a pair of free throws with one second left in the game to secure the two-point win over UCA.
MACOMB, Ill. – Nothing come free except for Western Illinois’ win against Central Arkansas on Saturday.
The Leathernecks drew a loose ball foul with just one second left on the game clock and made both free throws to send the Bears home with a 63-61 loss at Western Hall.
UCA (1-3) led by as much as 10 points with six minutes to play but the home team came alive and outscored UCA 14-2 the rest of the way.
The Bears, who were coming off a resounding victory over Randall on Wednesday night in their home opener, kept the momentum going in the first half Saturday. UCA led 28-23 at the half, with freshman guard Layne Turner scoring 11 of his game-high 21 points.
UCA sophomore Brayden Fagbemi followed Taylor with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and was the only other Bear in double figures. UCA shot 8 of 24 (33.3 percent) from three-point range, one game after hitting 16 against Randall.
Ryan Myers had 18 points and Sean Smith 17 for the Leathernecks (2-2), who also connected on eight three-pointers.
The Bears return home next week for two games, hosting Southeast Missouri on Thursday and UNC-Asheville on Sunday.
| Sat, Aug 31 |  | @ Arkansas State | L, 34-31 |
| Sat, Sep 7 |  | @ Lindenwood | W, 34-13 |
| Sat, Sep 14 |  | Austin Peay | W, 45-17 |
| Sat, Sep 21 |  | @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff | W, 56-17 |
| Sat, Sep 28 |  | vs Lamar | W, 34-14 |
| Sat, Oct 5 |  | @ Abilene Christian | L, 41-34 |
| Sat, Oct 12 |  | vs West Georgia | W, 34-33 |
| Sat, Oct 26 |  | vs North Alabama | W, 24-19 |
| Sat, Nov 2 |  | @ Utah Tech | L, 34-21 |
| Sat, Nov 9 |  | @ Eastern Kentucky | L, 31-24 |
| Sat, Nov 16 |  | vs Southern Utah | L, 38-31 |
| Sat, Nov 30 |  | @Tarleton State | 2:00 PM |
