FORT SMITH, Ark. – Freshman forward Adam Rivera and sophomore guard Kyree Elder each scored in double-figures, but that wasn’t enough for the nationally-ranked UAFS Lions to keep pace with the NCAA Division I Pacific Tigers.
Pacific had six players score in double-figures as the Tigers posted a 105-68 win against the Lions at Alex G. Spanos Center in Stockton, Calif. It was a regular-season game for the Tigers (5-4) but an exhibition game for the Lions (9-0), who are ranked No. 7 in the latest D2SIDA Top 25 and No. 22 in the NABC Division II Top 25.
It was the third game in a four-day span for the Lions, who began the stretch with Heartland Conference wins against Rogers State and Lubbock Christian.
UAFS 38 percent from the field (24 of 63) – it was 5-of-19 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 68 percent from the free-throw line (15 of 22). Rivera scored a team-high 16 points, while Elder had 10.
Senior forward Dalton Glapion had a team-high six rebounds for the Lions, who were out-rebounded by only four rebounds (36-32) by the Tigers, who compete in the West Coast Conference.
Pacific, which led 23 points at halftime (57-34), shot 65 percent from the field (41 of 63) – it was 8-of-21 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 83 percent from the free-throw line (15 of 18). Freshman guard Lafayette Dorsey had a team-high 17 points, while junior forward Jack Williams had 15, sophomore forward Jahlil Tripp had 14, junior guard Miles Reynolds 13, junior guard Roberto Gallinat 13 and junior forward Anthony Townes 12 to lead the Tigers.
Tripp topped off his double-double with 12 rebounds.
UAFS will return to regular-season play at 2 p.m. on Saturday when the Lions host the Ecclesia Royals for the Spray-Rite Customworks Toy Toss Game at the Stubblefield Center. The annual event helps collect toys for children of needy families in the River Valley for Christmas. Fans are encouraged to bring a new or slightly used soft toy to the game, and when the Lions score their first point(s), they can celebrate by tossing the toy onto the court.
All toys collected with go to the local Salvation Army, which will distribute the toys to the River Valley’s needy families.
MEN
PACIFIC 105, UAFS 68 (EXH.)
UAFS 34 34 — 68
Pacific 57 48 — 105
UAFS (9-0): Rivera 16, Elder 10, Crawford 9, Hawley 8, Jolly 8, Coleman 6, Glapion 4, Wallace 3, Toney 3, Thomas 1
Pacific (5-4): Dorsey 17, Williams 15, Tripp 14, Gallinat 13, Reynolds 13, Townes 12, Okonkwo 8, Tinsley 7, Small 6
