Men’s Basketball: Mbamalu makes most of return from injury – Bonus Time – Long’s Lows – Me + 3 Promo

Tim Buckley, Daily Advertiser, Feb. 15, 2014

After missing the season’s first 12 games due to a bone in his foot that was broken in the preseason, Bryant Mbamalu is trying to savor – and make the most of – every last moment of his senior year at UL.

He did just that in the Ragin’ Cajuns 93-87 double-overtime victory over Arkansas-Little Rock on Thursday night at the Cajundome, finishing with a season high-tying 14 points and scoring seven of UL’s final 10 points in the last one minute and 10 seconds of the second OT.

The Ragin’ Cajuns led by as many 19 points in the opening half, and UALR overcame a double-digit deficit in the last eight-and-a-half-minutes of regulation.

But Mbamalu’s final seven – a rebound bucket inside, and steal-and-layup followed by a free throws, and two more freebies – helped UL finally separate itself.

“I just felt like the ball, in the overtimes, was just bouncing my way,” the swingman from Houston said. “I was just trying to be active on the glass and active around the ball, because I saw my teammates being active.

“That motivated me to be more active, so I was just trying to get my hands on balls and just play hard – because we couldn’t let this one get away.”

Mbamalu is averaging 8.8 points in the 13 games he’s played this season.

BONUS TIME

UL coach Bob Marlin suggested – somewhat jokingly – that he didn’t mind Thursday’s two OT sessions.

“It was like I told our (assistant) coaches: ‘You’ve got to positive,’ ” he said. “You know, a couple of those guys were disappointed. And the players were disappointed.

“But, hey, we’ve got five minutes of overtime basketball, which turned into 10. And there’s nothing more I enjoy more than watching the referees work for free.”

LONG’S LOWS

UL big man Shawn Long went into Thursday’s game averaging a team-high 20.3 points and team-high 10.9 rebounds per game, but his seven points and three boards against the Trojans both were season lows.

Long played 26 minutes, including just three in the first half after picking up two quick fouls, and shot just 1-for-5 from the field.

“They did a great job double-teaming him when he was in there, and we weren’t able to get easy baskets,” Marlin said.

It was the first time this season Long hasn’t scored in double digits. His previous low was 12 points.

BY THE NUMBERS

At 81.3 points per game, UL continues to lead the Sun Belt – and is 19th in the nation – in points per game. Arkansas State is 4th in the Sun Belt – and 48th nationally – at 77.3 ppg. … The Cajuns are 14-0 when they outshoot their opponent. … Arkansas State leads the Sun Belt in field goal-percentage defense (opponents shoot just 42.6 percent from the field against them). … Arkansas State leads the SBC in 3-pointers made per game (8.8), while UL leads the conference in 3-point percentage defense (30.7 percent for opponents).

PROMOTIONS

Spectators who attend either UL’s baseball or softball games today can bring their ticket stub to the Cajundome box office to buy one ticket and receive three more at no cost for the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader vs. Arkansas State.

Cajun fans also are being encouraged to wear a wig to tonight’s game as part of a radio-station promotion.