MONSTROUS NIGHT FOR ANTE BELJAN: Watch Him Dismantle UTSA in Jaw-Dropping 81-64 Rout

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — After Saturday night’s jaw-dropping display, it’s clear that Little Rock is a force to be reckoned with this season, and high-scoring forward Ante Beljan is leading the charge. Against a determined UTSA squad, Beljan torched the competition with 21 points, showcasing the kind of scoring prowess that has coaches around the league on high alert.

At the Convocation Center, the Little Rock Trojans jumped out to an impressive 81-64 victory over UTSA, and Beljan’s dominating performance was a major factor. Even when UTSA’s spirited defense managed to shut down the high-powered offense for small stretches, Beljan consistently demonstrated an uncanny knack for staying hot, delivering a memorable night of clutch shots and show-stopping moves that brought his teammates to their feet.

The evening was marked from the start by an intensity that reflected both teams’ lofty aspirations, as each showed flashes of both brilliance and occasional unevenness. The Little Rock defense worked tirelessly to keep a hot shooting UTSA offense largely under wraps, though they found their rhythm at times to push the mark toward double digits. At the break, the teams were separated by just 6.

The battle between Little Rock and UTSA intensified in the second half as the team performances started mirroring the frenetic energy that saturated the facility, each pushing the boundaries of scoring mastery as an exclamation of which program would drive away the night with supreme honors.

The Little Rock offense achieved success across the board; nailing crucial long-range shots, swooping down to control the paint and capturing several critical second-chance points. They spread UTSA’s defense out, working with an impressive unity and showcasing one of their most cohesive on-court displays in recent years.

The stingy defense forced turnovers and did well in limiting the high-octane offense to some poor 3-point shooting. A pivotal mid-game stretch, punctuated by some scintillating plays, elevated the game beyond an entertaining competitive event as fans bore witness to the potential evolution of two high-grade programs.

Once the dust settled and last shot found its resting place within the rim of the Little Rock hoop, Beljan would conclude with 21 points in just over 32 minutes. Both teams showcased their spirit and promise in an unforgettable showdown at the Convocation Center that won’t soon be forgotten. Little Rock could not have asked for a better prelude to what has shaped up as a long-term statement stretch against an arduous road ahead.