Winning on the road in the Heartland Conference isn’t easy. Just ask University of Arkansas-Fort Smith men’s basketball coach Josh Newman.
During their first season of NCAA Division II competition last year, the Lions won only three road games all season – at Lincoln University, at Oklahoma Panhandle State and at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Sure, the Lions are a much more mature, experienced team this season – they are 11-6 overall and have won three of their five road games – but that still doesn’t make for an easier go of it on the road in league play.
The Lions beat conference foe St. Edward’s University by 28 points (100-72) on a neutral court on Dec. 19 in the Quincy (Ill.) Holiday Classic, but they needed two free throws from junior point guard Cedric Henderson with two seconds left on Thursday night to beat the Hilltoppers 51-49 on their home court in Austin, Texas.
Seem odd? Not really. That’s just life in the Heartland Conference.
UA Fort Smith will finish its five-day, two-game road trip across the Lone Star State on Saturday when they play the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Tip-off will be 4:30 p.m. at the Falcon Dome in Odessa.
The Lions, who have already surpassed their nine-win mark from a year ago, will look to extend their season-best three-game winning streak. It’s the third three-game winning streak of the season for the Lions, who are 3-0 against conference opponents.
UA Fort Smith is coming off one of its most sluggish offensive performances of the season, which was due mostly to St. Edward’s methodically, run-the-clock style of play. The Lions were held to a season-low 51 points, but they also turned in their best defensive effort of the year, holding the Hilltoppers to only 49 points.
The Lions are averaging 85.2 points per game with three players averaging double-figures in scoring – senior guard Josh Simmons (12.9), junior guard Kelson Stewart (10.1) and freshman guard Jake Toupal (10.1).
UA Fort Smith is allowing 74.6 points per game and forcing almost 17 turnovers per game.
It will be the third encounter between UA Fort Smith and the Texas-Permian Basin. The Lions lead the all-time series 2-0, having won 46-38 at the Stubblefield Center and 66-55 at the Falcon Dome last season.
Texas-Permian Basin (8-7) is coming off a 70-68 win against conference foe Dallas Baptist on Thursday night at the Falcon Dome. After beginning the season 1-5, the Falcons have won seven of their past nine games.
The Falcons are averaging 74 points per game with three players averaging double-figures in scoring – senior guard Jamal Holden (13.1), junior guard Erik Martin (13.1) and junior guard Ke’Andre Derrick (11.3). They are allowing 71 points per game and forcing almost 16 turnovers per game.
