MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The University of Tennessee Southern men's basketball team began the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship on Thursday, battling the Barons of Brewton-Parker. Both squads faced off less than two weeks ago in Pulaski, as the Firehawks took a 79-76 senior day win. UT Southern fended off the tough Barons in an 86-79 win. UTS advances to the quarterfinals tomorrow against first-seed overall #18 Dalton State at 6:15 p.m.
Four Firehawks scored in double figures in the win. Zaiden Cross led all scorers with 27 points and six boards. Vito Vujovic added 22 points and six boards. Koby Isaac tossed in 11 points, and Mark Vance contributed 10 points and seven boards.
From the shadows of the state capital, the first half saw the Firehawks push out to a 14-point lead in the early going. After a Kiah Key trifecta, the Barons added some pressure making a 21-8 run over the next six minutes to trail by one late in the half. The Firehawks, who had led since the 18:33 mark, relied on curtail buckets by Eric Robinson and Isaac in the final two minutes to preserve the lead. UTS led 41-40 at the half. Cross netted 11 points leading the Firehawks in the opening half. UTS shot 15 of 35 for 43 percent and they connected on six triples in the opening 20 minutes.
The Firehawks emerged from the locker room on a mission to pull away from the Barons. Five quick points, including a monster jam by Cross, gave UTS a six-point advantage. BPC battled back over to tie the game with 15 minutes left at 53. After two possessions without points, UTS lost the lead trailing 55-53. A Vance layup with 13 minutes left hoisted the good guys back on top and they would never trail again in the game. BPC, with their season on the line charged back to trail by one twice in the final 10 minutes, but big-time baskets by the Firehawks landed them in the quarterfinals.
BY THE NUMBERS
45.7 – UTS shot 32 of 70 for 45.7 percent, five and a half percent better than the Barons.
10 – UTS connected on 10 trifectas, four of which were in the second half.
12 – UTS made 17 trips to the charity stripe, making 12. BPC made 28 trips making 20.
46 – UT Southern pulled down 46 rebounds, nine more than the Barons.
38 – UTS scored 38 points in the paint, eight more than BPC.
9 – UTS forced nine turnovers by BPC, committing eight.
SSAC CHAMPIONSHIP
With today's win, UTS advances to the SSAC Quarterfinals. Here is the schedule for tomorrow's matchups.
Opening Round Scores
(4) Thomas def. (5) Loyola 76-61
(4) UT Southern def. (5) Brewton-Parker 86-79
Thursday's Pairings
(2) Life vs. (3) William Carey 10:45 a.m
(4) Thomas vs. (1) Mobile 2:15 p.m.
(4) UT Southern vs (1) #18 Dalton State 6:15 p.m.
(2) Faulkner vs. (3) Middle Georgia State 9:45 p.m.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will quest to stay alive by facing the overall top seed, Dalton State tomorrow at 6:15 p.m.
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