FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball played its first game since January 22 Monday evening, falling 75-56 to Oklahoma Christian in Lone Star Conference action at the Stubblefield Center.
UAFS (3-5, 3-5 LSC) trailed just 37-35 at the break, but shot just 24.1 percent in the second half. The Eagles (3-8, 3-8 LSC), meanwhile, shot 52.0 percent in the half and were buoyed by nine threes in the game by guard Marco Foster.
After falling behind by 10 in the opening minutes of the second half, the Lions quickly cut the lead back to six at 47-41. However, the Eagles went on a 19-0 run over a five-minute span, with Foster draining four of his threes during the stretch.
The Lions led 10-3 in the opening three minutes, with sophomore guard Evan Anderson knocking down a pair of threes and senior forward Chris Rollins scoring four points inside.
OC rallied to tie the game at 13, with the teams trading baskets to another tie at 25. The Eagles then scored five quick points and never relinquished the lead, with the closest deficit for the Lions the halftime margin two points.
Freshman forward Justus Cooper reeled in a career-high 13 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass. He also added seven points.
Rollins led the Lions with 11 points, seven boards and two blocks, while senior guard Matthew Wilson added 10 points and four rebounds. Anderson dished out five assists.
UAFS held advantages in points off turnovers (10-6) and second chance points (15-4), while outscoring the shorthanded Eagles 22-0 in bench points. UAFS had 17 offensive rebounds while winning the battle on the boards, 42-36.
Freshman forward Dalton Gayman came off the bench to produce eight points and five rebounds.
The Lions will take un undefeated Lubbock Christian next on Friday and Saturday. The Chaps are currently 10-0 and were ranked 14th in the latest NABC poll.
