KINGSPORT, Tenn. – UT Southern opened its run at THE SHOW in Kingsport on Friday afternoon, battling nationally ranked No.8 Ave Maria before falling 96–70. The Firehawks saw several strong individual stretches, including early outside shooting and late-shot-clock scoring bursts, but Ave Maria used a pair of first-half runs to create separation that UTS could not erase.
First Half Summary
The Firehawks came out with confidence, taking advantage of early perimeter touches as Mike Bell, Jr. knocked down two threes to spark UT Southern's offense. De'Marreon Baldwin added attacking buckets, while Eric Robinson controlled the defensive glass and facilitated in transition.
Midway through the half, UT Southern used a quick 6–0 run—highlighted by back-to-back triples from Luke Lentz and Kiah Key—to trim the margin to a single possession. A later stretch saw Ryan Dunn come off the bench and immediately connect from deep, keeping the Firehawks within striking distance.
Despite the offensive efficiency from UTS's guards, Ave Maria closed on a 10–2 run, giving them a 41–32 lead at the break.
First Half Team Statistics Comparison
| Stat |
UT Southern |
Ave Maria |
| Points |
32 |
41 |
| Field Goals |
12-33 (36.4%) |
15-28 (53.6%) |
| 3-Point FG |
7-20 (35.0%) |
6-14 (42.9%) |
| Free Throws |
1-3 (33.3%) |
5-6 (83.3%) |
| Rebounds |
14 |
18 |
| Offensive Rebounds |
7 |
3 |
| Defensive Rebounds |
7 |
15 |
| Assists |
9 |
8 |
| Steals |
6 |
3 |
| Blocks |
2 |
1 |
| Turnovers |
8 |
8 |
Second Half Summary
UT Southern came out aggressive to start the second half, with Daniel Reyes finishing at the rim and Antonio Cochran providing energy on the defensive end. A strong interior sequence from Robinson and Reyes briefly steadied the Firehawks, while Key buried another corner three to halt an Ave Maria surge.
However, a pair of extended scoring runs by the Gyrenes pushed the margin into double digits. UT Southern continued to fight, highlighted by late shot-clock ball movement and downhill drives from Baldwin and Reyes, but Ave Maria's efficiency from the floor proved too much to overcome.
Final Team Statistics Comparison
| Stat |
UT Southern |
Ave Maria |
| Points |
70 |
96 |
| Field Goals |
26-64 (40.6%) |
36-64 (56.3%) |
| 3-Point FG |
13-33 (39.4%) |
13-29 (44.8%) |
| Free Throws |
5-8 (62.5%) |
11-13 (84.6%) |
| Rebounds |
26 |
37 |
| Assists |
17 |
21 |
| Turnovers |
16 |
15 |
Up Next
UT Southern concludes its appearance at THE SHOW on November 29 in Kingsport, Tenn., facing Columbia International tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Stay up to date with all the latest action from UTS Athletics! Follow the Firehawks on social media:
Twitter: @utsathletics
Instagram: @utsouthernathletics
Facebook: @UT Southern Firehawks
Don't miss a moment — Go Firehawks!
