Box Score FORT SMITH, Ark. (December 1, 2018) – Isaac Asrat tallied 18 points in the opening half and finished two points shy of a career high, as his 29 points led Lubbock Christian University to an 82-69 win over University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) for their first ever win inside Stubblefield Center (1-4) and their first Heartland Conference victory of the season.
 
LCU took advantage of UAFS turnovers early in the contest and it allowed LCU to dodge a slow start. The Chaps opened the game with a field goal from Asrat and a three-pointer from Brennen Fowler en route to a 7-0 run. UAFS, with their first five points registered from the free-throw line, opened the game 0-of-5 from the field with two turnovers and did not receive their first field goal until 5:38 into the game. The Lions went the opening 9:15 of the game before tallying their first two-point field goal.
 
UAFS, held to six field goals in the first half, had three three-pointers in the first half, and despite the sluggish offense, a three-pointer by JonDarius Warren with 8:11 left in the half cut LCU's lead to 20-18. The Lions followed making one of their following 11 shots, while LCU responded with a 16-0 run and closing the half outscoring UAFS 22-2 for a 42-20 lead.
 
LCU forced UAFS into 11 turnovers in the half, leading to a 15-3 scoring advantage in points-off-turnovers in the half. The Chaps, shooting 58.1% (18/31) in the first half, were 65.2% (15/23) inside the arc in the first half and outscored UAFS 30-6 in the paint in the half. Asrat was 7-of-10 from the field in the half, going 2-of-3 from three-point range.
 
Asrat and Rashaad Proctor each made consecutive field goals and LCU had a 13-5 scoring advantage leading to a 59-31 lead (10:14 left in the second half) for their largest lead of the game. The game was not in the bag for LCU, as UAFS responded from their largest deficit with three consecutive three-pointers for a 9-0 run. They also had a 10-2 run, sparked by a pair of three-pointers, to cut the LCU lead to 71-58 with 2:35 remaining.  LCU never let the lead slip under an 11-point advantage the rest of the way.
 
Seth Hawley knocked down five three-pointers in the second half (on seven attempts) and produced 19 points in the second half. He scored all 19 of his points in the second half. UAFS hit nine three-pointers in the half and finished the game with 12. The Lions had more three-pointers (12) than two-point field goals in the game (11), marking the first time an LCU opponent had more three-pointers than two-pointers since ironically UAFS had 16 three-pointers and 15 two-point buckets on Feb. 11, 2017 against LCU. The Lions 12 three-pointers came on 31 attempts, matching a season high by an LCU opponent (both times have come in LCU's only true road games of the season).
 
Despite a 26.7% (4-of-15, missing eight of their final nine attempts) shooting mark from downtown, the Chaps finished the game above .500 from the field for a third time this season (51.6%, 32/62). They were 28-of-47 (59.6%) inside the arc, leading to a 54-22 scoring advantage in the paint. LCU out-rebounded UAFS 42-31, but the Lions had a 20-8 scoring advantage in second-chance scoring.
 
Along with Asrat, LCU received 16 points from Jay Workman and 12 points from Fowler. UAFS (4-6, 0-2) received 20 points from David Ward. LCU held the Lions to 37.7% (23/61) from the field.
 
The Chaps moved the 6-3 with the win and they are 1-1 in Heartland Conference play.
 
TURNING POINT
LCU had a six-minute stretch in the first half during their 16-0 run in which they were 10-of-11 (90.9%) from the field. They made seven consecutive shot attempts and all seven attempts were in the paint. LCU also made nine consecutive shot attempts in the paint during the run.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Brennen Fowler was held to season-low two rebounds, but for a second consecutive game, he matched a career high with six assists. He was not the only player matching a career high in assists, as Cameron Copley also had six assists.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
LCU returns home Thursday for a big in-region contest, hosting No.7/8 West Texas A&M at 7 p.m. inside Rip Griffin Center.