FORT SMITH- UAFS kept its postseason hopes alive on Saturday afternoon as the Lions routed the St. Mary’s Rattlers 81-55 in Heartland Conference play on Senior Day and Homecoming at the Stubblefield Center.
FThe Lions (10-17, 4-11) snapped a five-game losing streak in forcing a split in their regular-season series against the Rattlers, who beat the Lions 76-73 on Saturday, Jan. 26, at Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas.
Most importantly, UAFS kept remained in contention for one of the eight spots in next month’s conference tournament. The Lions are one of three teams with 11 conference losses that are currently tied for the final two spots – St. Mary’s (11-15, 3-11) and Texas A&M International (6-19, 3-11).
UAFS will finish the regular season with a pivotal game on Thursday against Oklahoma Christian at 7:30 p.m. at the Eagles Nest in Oklahoma City.
The Lions shot 50 percent from the field (27 of 54) – they were 10-of-24 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 77 percent from the free-throw line (17 of 22). Four players scored in double-figures, too.
Junior guard Seth Hawley had 18 points, including four of the Lions’ 10 3-pointers, while freshman forward David Wardand senior guard Chris Crawford each had 12 points and junior guard Tyler Williams had 11 points.
Junior forward Matt Morgan, who had three blocked shots, had a team-high eight rebounds, but the Lions were still out-rebounded by five rebounds (36-31). UAFS allowed 12 offensive rebounds that led to six second-chance points for St. Mary’s.
UAFS forced 23 turnovers that led to 23 points. Ward and Crawford had four and three steals, respectively.
St. Mary’s shot 36 percent from the field (19 of 53) – it was only 2-of-16 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 65 percent from the free-throw line (15 of 23). Guard Caleb Jordan led the Rattlers with 16 points, while forward Lamont Traylor had 10 rebounds off the bench.
UAFS only led 37-30 at halftime, but the Lions shot a sizzling 56 percent from the field (14 of 25) in the final 20 minutes to stretch their lead to as many as 30 points with two minutes left in the game.
MEN
HEARTLAND CONFERENCE
UAFS 81, ST. MARY’S 55
St. Mary’s 30 25 — 55
UAFS 37 44 — 81
St. Mary’s (11-15, 3-11): Jordan 16, Wesley 9, Isenhower 8, Radojicic 5, Gaspert 4, Traylor 4, Benavides 3, Peterson 3, Brooks 2, McCullough 1
UAFS (10-17, 4-11): Hawley 18, Ward 12, Crawford 12, Williams 11, Ekezie 8, Sivins 7, Morgan 5, Bowie 4, Warren 2, Boyer 2
