The UCA men’s basketball team battled the Hendrix Warriors 107-56 using home advantage at the Farris Center Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. The Veterans Day game paid tribute to veterans and swore in new recruits during halftime.
Junior Collin Cooper started with a three-pointer less than one minute into the game. Senior Eddy Kayouloud followed shortly after with a pull-up jump shot, making the score 5-0.
Kayouloud made another jump shot, making the score 8-0 less than three minutes into the game.
Hendrix freshman Colton Berry made the first point for the Warriors, making a free throw and the score 8-1.
Hendrix’s score rose slowly throughout the game. UCA coach Anthony Boone said the defense played by UCA was a good effort.
“I thought it was a pretty good effort on our guys’ part. Especially defensively,” Boone said. “We had a lot of deflections.”
Following UCA freshman Carl Daughtry Jr.’s driving layup and one of his free throws made, as well as one of UCA sophomore Ibbe Klintman’s free throws made, the score was 50-23 by halftime.
Colonel James Bryan asked the crowd to rise at halftime.
“I would like to say thank you to the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College for putting this together today to honor all of us in uniform,” Bryan said.
Bryan led the oath of enlistment for the recruiters to repeat after him. This was followed by applause from the audience.
Boone said the experience was incredible, and it was an incredible opportunity as well.
“It was great. I never experienced anything like that. And I’m pretty sure our guys never did either,” Boone said. “It was amazing. Very emotional. And I’m glad that we were able to make it happen here and thankful that I and our guys got to watch.”
Servicemen present the colors during the men’s basketball “Salute to Service” game.
Boone also thanked some of his family members for their service.
“Certainly thankful for their sacrifices and their service for helping our country to be a better and safer place,” Boone said.
In the second quarter, Klintman was the first to score, making the score 52-23.
By the second half of the second quarter, the Bears were up 73-40. Boone not only mentioned the effort from UCA defensively but also offensively.
“I thought our effort on the glass was pretty good,” Boone said.
Boone’s words were backed up by the team, as UCA won the game, the final score being 107-56.
The men’s basketball’s first game in the ASUN Conference is away, against Kennesaw State on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m.
Boone said preparation for ASUN includes the games they are playing now.
“That’s the preparation — all these games,” Boone said. “We think everything we’re doing in the season, with the travel, with the preparing for each opponent,” Boone said. “Every experience we have is preparing us for ASUN.”