FORT SMITH, Ark. – UAFS senior guard Chris Crawford and junior guard Tyler Williams each scored in double-figures, but that wasn’t quite enough of an offensive spark for the Lions on Wednesday night as the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils posted a 69-59 win at the Stubblefield Center.
It was the third game of a second game of a six-game home stand for the Lions (4-7), who have lost three games in a row.
UAFS will resume its home stand at 2 p.m. on Saturday when the Lions host the Randall Saints for the ninth annual Toy Toss Game at the Stubblefield Center. UAFS will host Cameron at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18, Wisconsin-Parkside at 5 p.m. on Dec. 19 and Oklahoma Christian at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 9.
The Lions shot only 39 percent from the field (22 of 57) – they were 8-of-21 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 78 percent from the free-throw line. Crawford scored a team-high 15 points, while Williams added 13 points.
Arkansas-Monticello out-rebounded UAFS by 13 rebounds (41-28), including 12 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points for the Boll Weevils. Junior forward Matt Morgan, freshman forward David Ward and junior guard Seth Hawley each had five rebounds for the Lions.
The Boll Weevils shot 48 percent from the field (27 of 56) – they were 9-of-23 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 60 percent from the free-throw line (6 of 10). Five Boll Weevils scored in double-figures. Junior guards Austin Hardy and KJ Lesure each had 11 points, while junior forward Kwame McBean, senior guard Keelin Jackson and junior guard Marcus Gilbert each had 10 points.
Jackson topped off his double-double with 12 rebounds.
UAFS only trailed Arkansas-Monticello by two points at halftime (36-34), but the Lions shot only 36 percent from the field (10 of 28) in the second half, allowing the Boll Weevils to pull away. Arkansas-Monticello also shot 52 percent from the field (13 of 25) in the second half to help its own cause.
MEN
ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO 69, UAFS 59
Arkansas-Monticello 36 33 — 69
UAFS
Arkansas-Monticello (4-3): Hardy 11, Lesure 11, Jackson 10, Gilbert 10, Ja. Embry 9, Wright 8
UAFS (4-7): Crawford 15, Williams 13, Ward 8, Hawley 8, Morgan 4, Ekezie 4, Warren 3, Parker 2, Boyer 2
