PULASKI, Tenn. – UT Southern used a strong second half and late composure at the free-throw line to secure a 71–63 win over Thomas University on Thursday afternoon at the Curry Athletic Complex, overcoming a tight contest that swung multiple times before a late technical foul proved costly down the stretch.
The opening half was physical and uneven offensively, with UT Southern working through missed looks while staying afloat at the free-throw line. Antonio Cochran got the Firehawks on the board early with a three-pointer off a De'Marreon Baldwin assist, but field goals were hard to come by in the opening minutes. Daniel Reyes and JaMil Wilson provided early energy inside, battling for offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities to keep UTS within reach.
After falling behind by double digits midway through the half, UT Southern began to chip away. Mike Bell, Jr. scored on a strong drive, Jack Harper knocked down a three from the wing, and Eric Robinson converted at the line during a key stretch. Late in the half, Harper buried another three and Wilson finished inside just before the break, allowing UT Southern to close the half on a run and take a 29–26 lead into halftime despite shooting just 22.2 percent from the floor.
The Firehawks came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Harper opened the period with a tip-in, then followed with a fast-break three to ignite the home crowd. Robinson attacked the paint for a layup, and Harper connected again from deep as UT Southern pushed the lead to double figures early in the half.
Thomas responded with a run to trim the margin, but UT Southern answered repeatedly. Reyes scored inside off a Cochran assist, Bell knocked down a pull-up jumper, and Baldwin finished through contact as the Firehawks maintained control. Cochran hit a key three midway through the half to push the lead back to 11, and UT Southern continued to make defensive stops to slow the momentum.
Down the stretch, the game tightened again as Thomas cut the deficit to two possessions. UT Southern remained poised, however, capitalizing on a late technical foul that proved decisive. Cochran calmly knocked down two free throws following the technical, and Robinson followed with four straight free throws in the final seconds to put the game out of reach. The Firehawks closed the contest by going 8-for-8 at the line in the final minute to seal the win.
Cochran led UT Southern with 15 points, adding 11 rebounds for a double-double while also contributing three assists and two blocks. Harper finished with 14 points, knocking down four three-pointers and providing a spark in both halves. Bell, Jr. added 13 points off the bench, while Robinson scored 10 points and was perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Baldwin chipped in eight points, nine rebounds, and four assists, and Wilson added seven points with strong interior play.
UT Southern will return to the road for its next contest, traveling to Brewton-Parker College on Thursday, January 29.
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