UALR 'posts' a big victory

PETE PERKINS
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

UALR's new post players knew they would be tested Tuesday night.
They were, and they passed.
Freshman forward Co Willis scored 15 points to help lead UALR to a 94-73 exhibition victory over Vasda-USA before a crowd of 1,197 at Alltel Arena.
Freshmen centers Darius Eason and Jake Yancey combined for 15 points and 10 rebounds in a total of 40 minutes, most of their play challenged by former UALR post players Muntrelle Dobbins and Orlando Donaldson.
Donaldson, who last played for UALR in 1995-96, led everyone with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Dobbins, the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 1996-97, scored 17.
Both played in pickup games against Eason and Yancey last summer.
"They've really come along," Donaldson said. "They've really improved a lot. If they keep working, they're going to be OK."
"They definitely have potential," Dobbins said. "They kind of remind me of a me when I was a freshman."
UALR Coach Porter Moser said "coachability" is the key to Eason's and Yancey's improvement.
"Without question, they're getting better," Moser said. "I have to give credit to my staff, but the thing I'd tell anybody is that these kids are coachable. They want to learn. They're sponges. They don't think they know it all, and that is so important in their development."
"I'm aware that I'm getting better," Eason said. "A lot of it goes to what I learned from playing with those guys last summer. I'm getting stronger and better with my hands, and I'm seeing the floor better."
Eason had nine points and seven rebounds.
"I can really see Darius improving each day," Yancey said. "We're all improving, and the biggest thing is our team work. We're finally getting to know each other out there in game situations."
"This was a great test for us in terms of the physical effort Muntrelle and Orlando brought," Moser said. "They're veterans, and they know how to play. For our young guys to have to guard that was a big plus."
Senior forward Stan Blackmon has drawn criticism from Moser for lack of effort in the preseason. Blackmon did not play until the final five minutes of the first half. He finished with 13 points in 11 minutes.
"He made some effort plays in those 11 minutes," Moser said. "He had good production in 11 minutes because he went at a high gear. That's the high gear that I've been talking to Stan about. If he plays 11 minutes in that high of a gear, then that helps us win. I was really pleased with his attitude and his effort when he got out there.
"I want to see more of that. When he plays in that high of a gear, Stan Blackmon can make an impact."
Moser would not allow Blackmon to talk to reporters after the game.
"I just want Stan to focus on his play, and build on today," Moser said. "Let's build up to 24 or 25 minutes of that high gear. We're a better team with Stan on the floor for 24 or 25 minutes."
UALR led 26-23 when Blackmon entered the game with 4:33 left in the first half.
UALR's lead at halftime was 41-33.
The lead was increased to 71-59 after senior guard Alan Barksdale's layup with 6:37 left.
Barksdale passed up a wide-open three-pointer to drive to the basket.
On the next possession, Barksdale again skipped a three-point attempt and passed to Willis for a finger-roll layup to give UALR a 73-59 lead.
"Those are the kind of things we're working on," Barksdale said. "We were up by a lot, so there's no point in taking the three-pointer when I saw I could drive inside. On the next play, Co made a nice move to get open, and I just looked for him."
"That's what I've been looking for," Moser said. "We're really starting to make smart plays, and that's what it's going to take against Northwestern."
UALR opens it's regular season Saturday at Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.

This article was published on Wednesday, November 15, 2000

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