PULASKI, Tenn. – UT Southern put together one of its most efficient offensive performances of the season Saturday afternoon but could not overcome a fast-starting Faulkner squad, falling 88–79 at the Curry Athletic Complex. The Firehawks trailed by 10 at halftime, cut the deficit to single digits multiple times in the second half, and continued to fight until the final minute before coming up short.

Faulkner opened the game with an early three, but UT Southern quickly responded behind Daniel Reyes and De'Marreon Baldwin. Reyes finished through contact for a layup and free throw, then Baldwin scored on consecutive possessions, including a powerful dunk in transition, to settle the Firehawks after a shaky opening stretch. Antonio Cochran knocked down a three at the 15-minute mark to give UTS its first lead, 10–7, and Mike Bell, Jr. later added a triple to keep the Firehawks within striking distance.

Midway through the first half, UT Southern continued to trade punches. Jack Harper hit a three off a Baldwin assist, Eric Robinson converted at the free-throw line, and Cochran worked the glass for second-chance opportunities. A late first-half surge by Faulkner pushed the margin back to double figures, but Baldwin scored inside and Cochran added free throws to close the gap before the break. UT Southern went into halftime trailing 48–38.

The Firehawks opened the second half with renewed energy. Cochran scored twice inside in the opening two minutes, and Bell buried a three to trim the deficit to eight. Baldwin continued to attack downhill, finishing through traffic and converting at the line as UT Southern chipped away. After another Bell basket in transition, the Firehawks cut the margin to 59–49 with just over 15 minutes remaining.

UT Southern kept the pressure on. Baldwin converted an and-one, Reyes added free throws, and Cochran remained relentless on the offensive end, scoring in the paint and from beyond the arc. With just under nine minutes to play, Baldwin knocked down a three to make it 70–60, igniting the home crowd.

Despite the push, Faulkner answered each run. Cochran continued to score, including multiple late three-pointers, and Bell added another deep shot with under seven minutes to play to keep the Firehawks within reach. UT Southern pulled within eight in the final two minutes after Cochran finished inside and then connected from long range again, but the visitors sealed the game at the free-throw line.

UT Southern was led by a standout performance from Antonio Cochran, who poured in 31 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including five three-pointers, while adding nine rebounds and two blocks. De'Marreon Baldwin followed with 20 points and three assists, consistently pressuring the defense off the dribble. Mike Bell, Jr. finished with 16 points, six assists, and a block, while Daniel Reyes added five points and battled on the glass. Eric Robinson contributed four points, five assists, and three steals, and Jack Harper chipped in three points off the bench.

UT Southern shot 49.1 percent from the field and knocked down 11 three-pointers but was hurt by 18 turnovers and a large disparity in bench scoring.

UT Southern (5–8, 1–3 SSAC) returns to action on Tuesday, December 16, hosting Mobile at the Curry Athletic Complex. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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