PULASKI, Tenn. – Despite a strong second-half push, the UT Southern men's basketball team came up just short on Monday night, dropping a 77–75 decision to Oakwood at the Curry Athletic Complex.
The Firehawks started hot with Mike Bell, Jr. connecting on early threes to give UTS an early 6–3 lead. However, shooting struggles in the middle of the first half allowed Oakwood to build momentum and take control. Luke Lentz came off the bench to drain three triples to help the Firehawks claw back, while Khadir Muhammad and De'Marreon Baldwin kept the attack steady, but UTS trailed 41–34 at halftime.
After the break, the Firehawks ramped up their defensive intensity and executed efficiently on offense. Baldwin scored ten of his 14 points in the second half, attacking the lane and finishing through contact, while Daniel Reyes added eight points and was perfect from the floor. A mid-half surge capped by a Lentz three-pointer and an Antonio Cochran triple brought the Firehawks within one possession.
In the final minute, Bell Jr. hit a driving layup to cut it to 77–74, and after a late free throw, Cochran drew a foul and hit one of two at the line to make it 77–75. UT Southern had one last possession but could not get a clean look before the buzzer.
Bell Jr. led UT Southern with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Baldwin finished with 14 points and four boards. Reyes contributed eight points and two rebounds, and Lentz provided 12 points off the bench on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Muhammad added seven points, eight assists, and three rebounds, and Cochran totaled seven points and five rebounds.
UT Southern shot 47.2% from the field but was edged 37–26 on the glass and finished 62.1% from the free-throw line. The Firehawks outscored Oakwood 41–36 in the second half but couldn't overcome the early deficit.
Team Stats by Half
| Team |
1st Half FG% |
2nd Half FG% |
1st Half Points |
2nd Half Points |
Final |
| Oakwood |
45.5% |
46.7% |
41 |
36 |
77 |
| UT Southern |
43.3% |
52.2% |
34 |
41 |
75 |
| Category |
Oakwood |
UT Southern |
| Field Goals |
29-63 (46.0%) |
25-53 (47.2%) |
| 3-Point FG |
3-13 (23.1%) |
7-26 (26.9%) |
| Free Throws |
16-21 (76.2%) |
18-29 (62.1%) |
| Rebounds |
37 |
26 |
| Assists |
10 |
15 |
| Turnovers |
13 |
17 |
| Points in Paint |
38 |
30 |
| Points off Turnovers |
15 |
19 |
UT Southern (1–1) will now travel to McKenzie, Tenn., for the Chick-fil-A Classic hosted by Bethel University, beginning Friday, November 7, where the Firehawks will face Tennessee Wesleyan in their tournament opener.
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