MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The UT Southern men's basketball team opened play at the Chick-fil-A Classic on Friday evening, falling to No. 13 Ave Maria University, 106-76, at Crisp Arena on the campus of Bethel University.
Ave Maria wasted little time establishing momentum, using a fast start and efficient shooting to build an early double-digit lead. After UT Southern briefly claimed a 5-3 advantage on an Antonio Cochran three-pointer, the nationally ranked Gyrenes responded with a decisive run to take control of the opening half.
The Gyrenes shot nearly 60 percent from the floor in the first half and carried a 54-35 lead into the locker room. Despite the deficit, the Firehawks received strong contributions from Jack Harper, Isaiah Claybrooks, and Cochran, who combined for 35 points.
UT Southern showed resilience coming out of the break. Consecutive baskets from TJ Hollinger and Luke Lentz trimmed the margin to 14 points early in the second half, and back-to-back three-pointers from Harper helped keep the Firehawks within striking distance.
However, Ave Maria answered every push and used its depth throughout the lineup to gradually extend the lead. The Gyrenes finished with 52 bench points and forced 22 UT Southern turnovers, turning those opportunities into valuable scoring chances throughout the game.
Claybrooks led the Firehawks with 14 points while connecting on nine free throws and adding three steals. Daniel Nwauzu provided a spark off the bench with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and four rebounds. Harper added 12 points behind four made three-pointers, while Hollinger contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
Cochran finished with nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Savion Daniels added six points and five rebounds. Kalik Sharpe chipped in five points, and Joel Bulis added four late points off the bench.
As a team, the Firehawks shot 46.7 percent from the field and scored 38 points in the paint, but Ave Maria countered with a 49.3 percent shooting performance, won the rebounding battle 41-29, and connected on 15 three-pointers.
UT Southern will look to bounce back on Saturday as it closes out Chick-fil-A Classic play against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at Crisp Arena.
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