by After almost a week-long layoff, the UAFS men’s basketball team looked a little sluggish during the first half of Friday’s nonconference game against Central Baptist College.
It didn’t take the Lions long to pull away from Mustangs, though.
Only leading by 9 points at halftime, UAFS shot 52 percent from the field in the second half on its way to an 89-64 win against Central Baptist College in the first game of a two-game, two-day homestand at the Stubblefield Center.
It was the second game in the all-time series, which UAFS leads 2-0.
The Lions will return to action at 7 p.m. on Saturday when they host Ecclesia College in the fifth annual Toy Toss Game at the Stubblefield Center. Fans are encouraged to bring a new or slightly used soft toy to the game, and when the Lions score their first point, they are allowed to toss the toys onto the court in celebration.
All of the toys collected will go to the Salvation Army, which will distribute them to children of needy families for the Christmas season.
UAFS made 17 of 33 shots from the field in the final 20 minutes, including 5 of 12 shots from 3-point range in pulling away down the stretch. The Lions shot 47 percent from the field for the game (29 for 62) – it was 8-for-25 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 66 percent from the 3-point line (23 for 35).
Five players scored in double-figures for the Lions, who led 36-27 at halftime. Sophomore guard Seth Youngblood (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) led the team with 19 points, while sophomore guard Alex Cooper had 13 and junior forward Kenny Martin, junior forward Dusan Stojanovic and senior guard Blake Branham had 11 points apiece.
Martin topped off his double-double with 11 rebounds, helping UAFS to out-rebound Central Baptist College 44-36. Martin also had 4 blocked shots, 3 assists and 1 steal.
The Mustangs (4-5) shot 37 percent from the field (23 for 62) – they were 8-for-19 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 59 percent from the free-throw line (10 for 17). Junior guard James Brown led the Mustangs with 20 points, while junior forward LaShawn Hamilton and senior guard Bryan Tardy had 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Junior forward Xavier Huskey and Hamilton had 4 rebounds apiece.
MEN
UAFS 89, CENTRAL BAPTIST COLLEGE 64
Central Baptist College 27 37 — 64
UAFS 36 53 — 89
Central Baptist College (4-5): Brown 20, Hamilton 12, Tardy 11, Tarver 4, Chatters 4, Moffett 4, McDaniel 3, Greene 2, McDaniel 2, Huskey 2
UAFS (3-4): Youngblood 19, Cooper 13, Martin 11, Stojanovic 11, Branham 11, Thomas 8, Harmon 8, Glavas 5, Cannon 2, Anthony 1
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