FORT SMITH – After winning a pair of hard-fought games this past weekend in the Conference Challenge, the UAFS men’s basketball team was due for an easy game. The Lions got that on Wednesday night.
Six players scored in double-figures as the No. 17 Lions roared past the Randall University Saints 110-69 in their home debut at the Stubblefield Center.
It was the first of five-consecutive home games for the Lions (3-0), who will return to action at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Stubblefield Center against the Pittsburg State Gorillas.
UAFS shot a sizzling 58 percent from the field (44 of 76) – it was 11-of-25 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 55 percent from the free-throw line (11 of 20). Senior guard Darrion Strong-Moore had a team-high 21 points, draining five of the Lions’ 11 3-pointers.
Sophomore guard Kyree Elder and senior guard Ladarius Coleman had 16 points apiece, while senior forward Dalton Glapion and freshman forward Adam Rivera had 11 points each. Elder and junior guard Chris Crawford each had five assists.
UAFS out-rebounded Randall by 15 rebounds (45-30). Elder, Coleman and Glapion had eight rebounds apiece.
While it was a regular-season game for the Lions, it was an exhibition game for the Saints (1-5), who are the two-time defending NCCAA Division II national champions. The Saints shot 42 percent from the field (25 of 59) – they were 7-of-24 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 63 percent from the free-throw line (12 of 19).
Guard Xavier Hunter was the only Saint to score in double-figures, finishing with 22 points. Center Isaac Bowles had a team-high five rebounds.
UAFS forced 23 turnovers that led to 38 points for the Lions, who led 48-26 at halftime. Coleman had three of the Lions’ 10 steals, and senior forward Brett Jolly, Coleman and Rivera each blocked one shot.
MEN
UAFS 110, RANDALL 69
Randall 26 43 — 69
UAFS 48 62 — 110
Randall: Hunter 22, Lyons 9, Collier 8, Hopkins 7, Askew 6, Lewis 6, Downs 5, Bowles 3, Wilson 2, Jarvis 1
UAFS (3-0): Strong-Moore 21, Elder 16, Coleman 16, Glapion 11, Rivera 11, Thomas 9, Hawley 9, Toney 7
