Fall out from the fight from the ualr vs bg game
Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 9:24 am
UALR Basketball Report
By Jeffrey Slatton
Wright suspended one game UALR junior guard Zack Wright will have to sit out tonight’s game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff after being involved in an altercation in Saturday’s 68-60 victory over Bowling Green at the Jack Stephens Center.
With 18:54 to play in the second half, UALR’s Buddy Harding and Bowling Green’s Mawel Soler wrestled on the floor after a loose ball. The 6-6 Soler jumped on top of Harding, who flipped Soler and pinned him. Soler landed at least two punches, said the 6-2 Harding, who held Soler down until officials intervened.
At the same time, pushing occurred between players from both teams. Bowling Green’s Matt Lefeld shoved Wright backward. Wright responded by throwing a punch that missed.
Game officials from the Mid-American Conference reviewed the game tape at courtside and decided to eject only Wright. Harding and Soler received technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Sun Belt Conference director of officials Dale Kelley reviewed the game tape Monday and, after speaking to game officials, informed UALR Coach Steve Shields that Wright was ejected for fighting. He is suspended one game and could be suspended the remainder of the season if another incident takes place.
Wright, who apologized to his teammates in the locker room after the game, is averaging 11.4 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 33.4 minutes per game this season.
It doesn’t appear Soler and Lefeld will receive any disciplinary action for their role in Saturday’s altercation between the teams.
Mid-American Conference officials weren’t even aware an altercation had taken place until contacted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Monday afternoon.
Eggins to start Freshman De’Andre Eggins will take junior Zack Wright’s spot in the starting lineup tonight. Eggins will also back up point guard Buddy Harding running the team.
Eggins, who played all the guard positions while a high school player in Alexandria, La., has averaged 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. But he hasn’t had to handle the point guard responsibilities this season.
“In high school, I played every position from 1 through 5. I’m pretty comfortable playing anything,” Eggins said. “I feel comfortable with it. The only thing I’ve noticed in practice is getting a little winded when I put pressure defensively on the point guard. I didn’t really have to do that in high school.” After practice Monday, Eggins sat with Harding going over the plays UALR runs.
“’Dre is going to handle it well,” Harding said.
Akins back soon Tonight’s game could be the last without junior point guard Terrance Akins, who is scheduled to return to the doctor this afternoon.
Akins broke his foot Oct. 21 in practice. Friday will mark seven weeks since his surgery.
The healing process was supposed to take six to eight weeks.
If Akins is cleared to resume practice, he could be available in some capacity for Tuesday’s home game against Appalachian State.
Tough guy When Buddy Harding was recruited out of Pulaski Academy, UALR Coach Steve Shields said the quality he liked most about him was his toughness.
“He’s tough-minded and a guy who can definitely run a basketball team,” Shields said.
“He won’t back down from anybody. He never has or will.
That’s why I like him.” That was apparent Saturday when the redshirt freshman, giving up about 4 inches and 40 pounds, flipped Bowling Green’s Mawel Soler off of him and held him down as Soler tried to fight. If it was collegiate wrestling, Harding would have received two points for a textbook reversal.
Harding didn’t throw a punch, even after apparently receiving two punches to the side of the head from Soler.
And when game officials finally broke it up, Harding even stuck his hand out to help Soler up off the court.
“It was just two physical teams going at it. I’m just that competitive and [Soler’s] that competitive and stuff like that is going to happen,” Harding said.
By Jeffrey Slatton
Wright suspended one game UALR junior guard Zack Wright will have to sit out tonight’s game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff after being involved in an altercation in Saturday’s 68-60 victory over Bowling Green at the Jack Stephens Center.
With 18:54 to play in the second half, UALR’s Buddy Harding and Bowling Green’s Mawel Soler wrestled on the floor after a loose ball. The 6-6 Soler jumped on top of Harding, who flipped Soler and pinned him. Soler landed at least two punches, said the 6-2 Harding, who held Soler down until officials intervened.
At the same time, pushing occurred between players from both teams. Bowling Green’s Matt Lefeld shoved Wright backward. Wright responded by throwing a punch that missed.
Game officials from the Mid-American Conference reviewed the game tape at courtside and decided to eject only Wright. Harding and Soler received technical fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Sun Belt Conference director of officials Dale Kelley reviewed the game tape Monday and, after speaking to game officials, informed UALR Coach Steve Shields that Wright was ejected for fighting. He is suspended one game and could be suspended the remainder of the season if another incident takes place.
Wright, who apologized to his teammates in the locker room after the game, is averaging 11.4 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 33.4 minutes per game this season.
It doesn’t appear Soler and Lefeld will receive any disciplinary action for their role in Saturday’s altercation between the teams.
Mid-American Conference officials weren’t even aware an altercation had taken place until contacted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Monday afternoon.
Eggins to start Freshman De’Andre Eggins will take junior Zack Wright’s spot in the starting lineup tonight. Eggins will also back up point guard Buddy Harding running the team.
Eggins, who played all the guard positions while a high school player in Alexandria, La., has averaged 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. But he hasn’t had to handle the point guard responsibilities this season.
“In high school, I played every position from 1 through 5. I’m pretty comfortable playing anything,” Eggins said. “I feel comfortable with it. The only thing I’ve noticed in practice is getting a little winded when I put pressure defensively on the point guard. I didn’t really have to do that in high school.” After practice Monday, Eggins sat with Harding going over the plays UALR runs.
“’Dre is going to handle it well,” Harding said.
Akins back soon Tonight’s game could be the last without junior point guard Terrance Akins, who is scheduled to return to the doctor this afternoon.
Akins broke his foot Oct. 21 in practice. Friday will mark seven weeks since his surgery.
The healing process was supposed to take six to eight weeks.
If Akins is cleared to resume practice, he could be available in some capacity for Tuesday’s home game against Appalachian State.
Tough guy When Buddy Harding was recruited out of Pulaski Academy, UALR Coach Steve Shields said the quality he liked most about him was his toughness.
“He’s tough-minded and a guy who can definitely run a basketball team,” Shields said.
“He won’t back down from anybody. He never has or will.
That’s why I like him.” That was apparent Saturday when the redshirt freshman, giving up about 4 inches and 40 pounds, flipped Bowling Green’s Mawel Soler off of him and held him down as Soler tried to fight. If it was collegiate wrestling, Harding would have received two points for a textbook reversal.
Harding didn’t throw a punch, even after apparently receiving two punches to the side of the head from Soler.
And when game officials finally broke it up, Harding even stuck his hand out to help Soler up off the court.
“It was just two physical teams going at it. I’m just that competitive and [Soler’s] that competitive and stuff like that is going to happen,” Harding said.
