PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern men's basketball returned to the Curry Athletic Complex for a midweek battle with Faulkner. UTS trailed early only to lead at the half, but the Eagles took advantage of 17 more trips to the charity stripe as UTS fell 74-73. UTS dropped to 10-14 overall and 7-8 in league play.
Zaiden Cross led the Firehawks with 18 points and eight boards. Koby Isaac added 16 points. Mark Vance scored 15 points and pulled down five boards. Bradin Nelson tossed in 10 points and gathered seven boards. Eric Robinson almost recorded a double double, turning in eight points, seven assists, and seven boards.
Faulkner knocked the Firehawks on their heels in the early going opening up to their largest lead of nine. The eight minutes belonged to the Firehawks went on a 9-0 run capped off with a Vance bucket in the paint tying the game at 27. In the final two minutes struggled to punch the score card, but UTS scored five of the final eight points to lead 32-30 at the half. UTS shot 15 of 32 for 47 percent connecting on two long range bombs. One of those hoisted UTS to lead at the half by Nelson. Cross netted 10 points leading UTS in the opening half.
In the final half, the Firehawks got out to their largest lead of four in the opening two minutes. Both teams traded the lead back an forth over the next seven minutes with neither trailing by more than four. After a Eagle bucket and plus one chance, pair of technical fouls changed the direction of the game. The visitors sank all five charity shots swinging a one point UTS advantage to a six point deficit. Fueled by the electric crowd, the Firehawks fought back to tie the game at 56 with nine minutes left. Down the stretch, the game would see three ties and six lead changes. With the score tied at 69 each, Faulkner took the lead for the final time and a pair of free throws with five seconds left putting the game out of reach. Vance would drain a long three at the buzzer.
BY THE NUMBERS
50.8 – UTS shot 31-61 for 50.8 percent outshooting the Eagles' 25-53 (47%).
9 – UTS drained nine triples, one more than FU.
3 – UTS connected on one of three free throws, to Faulkner's 16 of 20 from the foul line.
33 – The Firehawks pulled down 33 rebounds in the game, five more than the Eagles.
11 – Both teams committed 11 turnovers in the game.
38 – UTS led in points in the paint 38-30.
 
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will return to the court on Saturday, hosting Brewton-Parker. Tipoff is set for two p.m. on January 15. The Firehawks will celebrate their seniors during the festivities.
 
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