by UAFS slipped from a tie for first place to third place in the Heartland Conference with its loss at St. Mary’s on Saturday.
It didn’t take the Lions long to reclaim their share of the top spot.
Four players scored in double-figures as UAFS beat Lubbock Christian 62-59 on Thursday night at the Stubblefield Center, splitting the regular-season series with the Chaps.
UAFS (14-9, 10-5) now shares first place with Lubbock Christian (13-9, 10-5), St. Mary’s (13-9, 10-5), Rogers State (16-7, 10-5) and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (15-8, 10-5).
It’s no doubt crowded at the top, and St. Edward’s (17-6, 9-6), which beat St. Mary’s on Thursday night, is only a one game behind the league-leaders.
Sophomore guard Alex Cooper had 16 points to lead the Lions, who led 32-28 at halftime. Sophomore guard Seth Youngblood (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) had 14, junior forward Kenny Martin had 13 and freshman guard DaVaunta Thomas had 11.
UAFS shot 45 percent from the field (23 for 51) – it was just 4-for-22 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 63 percent from the free-throw line (12 for 19).
The Lions out-rebounded the Chaps by 10 rebounds (38-28) thanks to Martin, who topped off his double-double with a team-high 14 rebounds. He also had a team-high 2 blocked shots and a team-high 3 steals.
Lubbock Christian shot 43 percent from the field (23 for 53) – it was only 4-for-20 shooting from 3-point range – and shot 75 percent from the free-throw line (9 for 12). Guard Ridrell Holman had a team-high 18 points, while guard A.J. Luckey had 14 points off the bench.
Guard Matthew Alford had a team-high 6 rebounds.
UAFS held only a 1-point lead (60-59) lead after guard Marcos Schuster converted a turnover by Cooper into a layup in transition with 39 seconds left. Youngblood, however, gave the Lions some breathing room by converting a pair of free-throw opportunities with 25 seconds left to give UAFS its 3-point cushion.
Lubbock Christian worked the clock down to 14 seconds and called timeout. With 7 seconds left, Holman launched a potential game-tying 3-pointer that was off the mark. Forward Beau Durham grabbed the rebound, but the buzzer sounded before the Chaps could get another shot off.
UAFS will finish its two-game homestand at 3 p.m. on Saturday when the Lions host the Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies (3-19, 1-13) at the Stubblefield Center. It will be PinkZone Day, and everyone is encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness and research.
MEN
UAFS 62, LCU 59
LCU 28 31 — 59
UAFS 32 30 — 62
