PULASKI, Tenn. – UT Southern battled through a back-and-forth conference matchup Tuesday night at the Curry Athletic Complex, but a late free-throw sequence proved to be the difference as the Firehawks fell 64–61. The game featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes, with UT Southern holding multiple second-half advantages before the contest was decided in the final seconds.
UT Southern opened the scoring at the line as Daniel Reyes split a pair of free throws in the opening minute. After a slow offensive start, De'Marreon Baldwin got the Firehawks on the board with a strong drive to the basket, and Antonio Cochran began asserting himself on the glass with multiple early offensive rebounds. Despite shooting struggles, UTS stayed within reach through hustle plays and defensive pressure, including steals by Baldwin and Eric Robinson.
Midway through the first half, Luke Lentz provided an offensive spark off the bench. Lentz knocked down a pair of three-pointers during a key stretch, cutting the deficit to single digits and igniting the home crowd. Jack Harper added back-to-back threes to help UT Southern claw back, and Cochran closed the half with free throws as the Firehawks went into the break trailing just 30–29.
The Firehawks carried that momentum into the second half. Robinson opened the period with a layup to give UTS its first lead of the night since the opening minutes, and Baldwin followed with a defensive stop and rebound to keep the pressure on. Harper later drilled a three to reclaim the lead, and Cochran added another from deep to keep UT Southern out front. With just under nine minutes remaining, Lentz connected on a three off an assist from Reyes to give the Firehawks a 50–46 advantage.
The game remained tight down the stretch. Cochran continued to battle inside, converting an and-one and later knocking down a three with 2:51 remaining to put UT Southern back in front, 57–53. After the lead changed again, Lentz answered with another clutch three at the 1:57 mark to make it 60–56. The Firehawks had chances in the final minute, but a pair of missed opportunities and late free throws swung the result.
UT Southern was led by Antonio Cochran, who finished with 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds to record a double-double, while also adding three assists and three blocks. Luke Lentz scored 14 points on four made three-pointers, providing consistent perimeter offense off the bench. Jack Harper contributed 12 points, all from beyond the arc, and De'Marreon Baldwin added six points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block. Eric Robinson chipped in four points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals, while JaMil Wilson added three points and six rebounds.
UT Southern outrebounded the opposition 38–31 and received 32 bench points, but shooting 32.7 percent from the field and leaving points at the free-throw line proved costly in the narrow loss.
UT Southern returns to action on Thursday, December 18, when the Firehawks travel to Nashville to face Fisk. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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