by UAFS rallied from a 4-point halftime deficit to beat NCAA Division I Southern Utah 73-72 in exhibition play at Centum Arena in Cedar City, Utah.
It was the Lions’ first-ever win against a NCAA Division I opponent in 12 opportunities, whether in exhibition play or regular-season play.
It was the Lions’ second exhibition game in as many days against a NCAA Division I opponent – UAFS lost to Utah State 64-57 on Friday night – and final exhibition game before the start of regular-season play on Friday against Metro State at the Aurora Center in Denver, Colo.
With UAFS trailing 72-71 with 13 seconds left, sophomore guard Alex Cooper was fouled by Southern Utah sophomore guard Trey Kennedy. Cooper, who had made 10 of his 12 free-throw attempts up until that point against the Thunderbirds, made both free throws to give the Lions a 1-point lead.
Southern Utah called timeout with 11 seconds left. Southern Utah ran the clock down to 1 second before sophomore guard Race Parsons launched a potential game-winning jumper. Parsons’ jumper was blocked by Lions freshman guard DaVaunta Thomas as time expired to seal the upset for the Lions.
Junior forward Kenny Martin scored a team-high 18 points to lead a trio of Lions in double-figure scoring. Sophomore guards Alex Cooper and Seth Youngblood (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) had 14 points each. Seven players in all scored for the Lions, who trailed 38-34 at halftime.
UAFS shot 48 percent from the field (21 for 44) – it was a sizzling 6-for-10 shooting from 3-point range. Youngblood was 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range to lead the Lions’ perimeter attack. UAFS shot 76 percent from the free-throw line (25 for 33). Cooper was 12-for-14 shooting at the free-throw line.
The Lions out-rebounded the Thunderbirds by 5 rebounds (38-33), including 11 offensive rebounds. Martin led the Lions with 7 rebounds. UAFS also blocked 6 shots with junior center Teotonio Do collecting 5 blocks.
Southern Utah shot 42 percent from the field (27 for 65) – it was just 5-for-16 shooting from 3-point range – and shot just 59 percent from the free-throw line (13 for 22). Kennedy led all Thunderbirds with 14 points and was the only Thunderbird to score in double-figures.
Senior forward Cal Hanks led the Thunderbirds with 6 rebounds and had 2 of the Thunderbirds’ 4 blocked shots.
MEN
UAFS 73, SOUTHERN UTAH 72 (EXH.)
UAFS 34 39 — 73
Southern Utah 38 34 — 72
UAFS: Martin 18, Cooper 14, Youngblood 14, Cannon 9, Anthony 7, Thomas 7, Stojanovic 4.
Southern Utah: Kennedy 14, Langston 9, McGee 8, Oliverson 8, Parsons 7, Rawson 7, Hess 7, Hanks 6, Wilson 2, Thompson 2, Waddoups 2
