Courtesy UAFS Athletics Department
It may have lost some of its luster, but Saturday’s Heartland Confernence game between the UAFS Lions and the Newman University Jets still is the marquee matchup of the weekend.
What would have been an outright battle for first place in the conference has instead turned into a golden opportunity for the Lions to create separation between them and the rest of the conference.
UAFS and No. 21 Newman were both undefeated in the conference going into the final game of last weekend’s conference two-game road series. UAFS (10-6, 6-0) beat Oklahoma Panhandle State 80-73 to stay undefeated, but Newman (14-2, 5-1) was upset by the University of Texas of the Permian Basin 74-64, suffering its first league loss.
A win against Newman would give the Lions no less than a two-game lead going into the second half of the conference season and an inside track to winning its first regular-season conference title.
Tip-off will be 2 p.m. for the women’s game and 4 p.m. for the men’s game at the Stubblefield Center. Live statistics and webcast will be available by visiting the UAFS athletics website (www.uafortsmithlions.com). The game will be broadcast on KHGG-FM 103.1 and via the Internet at www.sportshog1031.com
It will be the seventh game in the all-time series, which is tied at three games apiece. Newman, however, has never won at the Stubblefield Center in three attempts. UAFS is 7-1 at the Stubblefield Center this season with its lone loss coming on a buzzer-beater against Southern Nazarene University.
UAFS is averaging 78 points per game with four players averaging double-figures in scoring – senior Djordje Stojanovic (12.9), junior guard Jake Toupal (12.6), junior guard Corey Copeland (12.2) and senior guard Dijon Farr (10.4).
The Lions are out-rebounding their opponents by more than 4 rebounds per game (38.4-34.2). Stojanovic leads the team with 4.7 rebounds per game and is one of five Lions who are averaging 4 or more rebounds per game.
UAFS is allowing 73 points per game and forcing almost 17 turnovers per game. Toupal leads the team with 23 steals, while junior forward Bo Franklin leads the team with 10 blocks.
Newman is averaging 78 points per game with three players averaging double-figures in scoring – senior guard Shamar Acuay (14.6), junior forward Marquis Cuyler (11.7) and senior guard Darrell Traylor (10.9). Opponents are out-rebounding the Jets by more than 2 rebounds per game (37.4-35.1). Traylor leads the team with 4.8 rebounds per game.
The Jets are allowing 66 points per game and forcing 22 turnovers per game. Acuay leads the team with 33 steals, while junior center Ryan Mesh leads the team with 15 blocks.
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