Lions have lost another heartbreaker in the final minutes of the game. UAFS men's basketball team was defeated in the conference homestand finale as the Lions fell to Tarleton State Texans on Saturday afternoon by the score of 61-67. UAFS was up by 60-56, five minutes before the end of the game, but Tarleton went on an 11-1 run to close out the game. The Lions were led by an outstanding double-double performance from Brian Halums with 38 points and 11 rebounds. UAFS is now 6-9 overall on the season and 2-7 in conference play. 

This is the second game in a row tha the young Lions team lost in the final minutes. However, UAFS men's basketball head coach Jim Boone was very proud of his team, "I couldn't be more proud of our team and the tremendous effort that they gave on both Thursday and Saturday night. We had every opportunity to win both games against two of the league's best teams. At times it can become frustrating because it seems like you are not making progress, but this is all a part of the process. Learning how to win tough games is a tough process, and coach Boone believes in it, "Our team is learning how to work hard, prepare hard, and execute under pressure in tough games. There is not better teacher than experience." 

Offensively, the Lions scored 61 points on 34.5 percent shooting from the field while also shooting 32.1 percent from the three point line and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe. The Lions were led in scoring by Brian Halums (38) and while Matthew Wilson and Evan Anderson added six points each. UAFS recorded 10 assists, led by Charles Botchway (4) and Wilson (3). Coach Boone was pleased with Halums' performance tonight, "Brian's individual performance tonight, particularly in the second half was as good as it gets. It is not just about his scoring but the effort he gave on the defensive end and rebounding was outstanding." 

Defensively, the Lions allowed 67 points to their opponents on 43.3 percent shooting from the field, 22.2 percent from the three point line and 81.8 percent from the free throw line. UAFS grabbed 34 rebounds as a team and were led by Halums (11) and Chris Rollins (5). The Lions also forced 10 turnovers from Tarleton while also recording five steals, led by Halums (3). 

UAFS men's basketball team will be will be looking to bounce back next week on a Texas roadtrip as the Lions travel to Commerce, Texas on Thursday and Tyler, Texas on Saturday to take on Texas A&M-Commerce and UT Tyler. Live stats and live broadcast will be available for both of these games on uafortsmithlions.com.