MONTGOMERY, Ala. — UT Southern opened Southern States Athletic Conference play with a 97–93 road win over Faulkner on Thursday night, Nov. 12, at Tine Davis Gymnasium.
The men's basketball game was the third and final UT Southern–Faulkner matchup of the day. The schedule began with volleyball in the SSAC Tournament, followed by the women's basketball teams opening conference play, before the men's basketball teams closed out the day.
The Firehawks built a 53–46 halftime lead behind an efficient first half, shooting 56.8% from the field. Faulkner made an early push, but UT Southern took control midway through the half. Daniel Nwauzu scored inside to put the Firehawks ahead 13–12, and Antonio Cochran's tip-in after a Savion Daniels steal extended the lead. Later, a 9–0 stretch—including baskets from Joel Bulis and Jack Harper—helped UT Southern move in front, 26–18.
The Firehawks' advantage reached 14 points, 40–26, with 5:08 left in the half. Faulkner trimmed the margin before the break, making a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 53–46.
Faulkner opened the second half with a 7–0 run to tie the game at 53, then stayed within reach as the lead changed hands. The Eagles went ahead by five, 68–63, with 13:03 remaining.
UT Southern answered. Kalik Sharpe's free throws and layup brought the Firehawks within one, and Cochran's fast-break three put them back in front, 70–68. After Faulkner briefly reclaimed the lead, Jack Harper's tip-in made it 74–73, and Nwauzu's basket helped the Firehawks stretch their advantage to three.
The teams continued trading baskets down the stretch. Faulkner tied the score at 78 with 6:59 to play, but Luke Lentz answered with a three-pointer, and UT Southern held on through a tense final two minutes.
Isaiah Claybrooks delivered the closing punch. He made two free throws with 1:06 left, scored a layup with 33 seconds remaining, and converted four more free throws in the final 14 seconds. Faulkner pulled within two on a dunk with eight seconds left, but Claybrooks' final pair at the line secured the 97–93 victory.
Claybrooks led UT Southern with 23 points, making all 10 of his free throws. Cochran added 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Nwauzu scored 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Sharpe finished with 10 points and made all six of his free throws.
The Firehawks finished 22-of-26 at the line, including 16-of-17 in the second half, and outrebounded Faulkner 41–33. An Eagles guard led Faulkner with 24 points.
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