FORT SMITH, Ark. – UAFS was a big winner against the Ecclesia Royals on Saturday, and the Lions and their fans made sure the children of needy families in the River Valley shared in the victory celebration, too.
Six players scored in double-figures for the No. 7/14 Lions who beat the Royals 107-61 in the eighth annual Spray-Rite Customworks Toy Toss Game at the Stubblefield Center.
When senior guard Darrion Strong-Moore took a pass from senior guard Ladarious Coleman and drained the first of his four 3-pointers only 15 seconds into the first half, fans showered the court with soft toys in celebration.
In all, UAFS collected 6,850 toys through the Toy Toss game, sponsors and the Media Challenge in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s game. All toys will be distributed by the local Salvation Army to children of needy families for Christmas. To date, the Toy Toss Game has collected 38,104 toys.
UAFS was assessed a delay of game technical foul for the toys being tossed onto the court, but as he has in past, Ecclesia coach Al McCarron declined the technical foul free throws in showing his support of the worthwhile cause.
The Lions (10-0) shot 62 percent from the field (37 of 60) – they were 14-of-24 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 79 percent from the free-throw line (19 of 24).
Senior guard Marcus Wallace scored a team-high 17 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers, and Strong-Moore had 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior guard DaVaunta Thomas had 15 points, including three 3-pointers, freshman forward Adam Rivera had 15 points and sophomore guard Seth Hawley and senior guard Ladarius Coleman had 11 points apiece.
UAFS out-rebounded Ecclesia by 17 rebounds (44-27). Rivera topped off his double-double with 10 rebounds.
It was an exhibition game for the Royals (0-10), who trailed 54-26 at halftime. Ecclesia shot 32 percent from the field (20 of 63) – it was 13-of-37 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 57 percent from the free-throw line (8 of 14).
Forward Cash Krueger scored a team-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Guard Chase White had 11 points. Forward Noah Banks just missed a double-double, finishing with eight points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
UAFS will host the Holiday Classic on Friday and Saturday at the Stubblefield Center. The Lions will play the Ouachita Baptist Tigers at 8 p.m. on Friday and will play Texas A&M-Commerce at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
MEN
- 7/14 UAFS 107, ECCLESIA 61
Ecclesia 26 35 — 61
UAFS 54 53 — 107
Ecclesia (0-10): Krueger 19, White 11, Freeland 9, Bagsby 9, Banks 8, Babyar 3, Johnson, Jr. 2
UAFS (10-0): Wallace 17, Strong-Moore 16, Thomas 15, Rivera 15, Hawley 11, Coleman 11, Toney 9, Elder 6, Jolly 4, Glapion 3
