Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark.—The Christian Brothers University Bucs built a 15-point lead in the first half and held on for a 68-64 road win over No. 14 Arkansas-Monticello Saturday night in the Gulf South Conference West Division opener for both schools.

The Bucs (12-2, 1-0 GSC West) went on a 24-7 run over nearly 12 minutes of the first half to take control of the game. A Scott Dennis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) three-pointer, one of only three of the night for the Bucs, sparked the run, giving the Bucs their first lead at 10-9 with 13:07 remaining in the half. A Nick Kohs (Cincinnati, Ohio/Lakota East HS) free throw capped the run with 2:01 remaining in the half, putting the Bucs ahead 31-16.

UAM (11-3, 0-1) answered with a 14-1 run around both sides of the halftime break to trim the lead to 32-30 with 19:05 remaining in the game after a Derek Easter three. Neither team led by more than six points the remainder of the game.
Peyton led the Bucs with 20 points and four steals. Kohs had 19 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Dennis had 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Zack Warner (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton HS) scored 10 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 5:27 remaining that put CBU ahead for good at 53-51.

Easter led the Boll Weevils with 15 points. Don Riley scored 11 off the bench, while Wright added 10.

The Bucs shot a sizzling 66.7 percent (22-of-33) from the floor, including just 3-of-6 from three-point range. UAM shot 41.2 percent (21-of-51) from the floor. The Weevils out-rebounded CBU 33-25, and they forced 18 turnovers to their own 17.

The Bucs will visit Ouachita Baptist Thursday night at 8 p.m. before their GSC West home opener Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m.