UAFS will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season when the nationally-ranked Lions host Heartland Conference co-leader Newman on Saturday at the Stubblefield Center.
Tipoff will be 3 p.m. Live statistics and live stream will be available. The game will be broadcast on KHGG-AM 1580, KHGG-FM 101.1, KFPW-AM 1230 and KFPW-FM 96.7.
UAFS (13-1, 2-1) is ranked No. 4 in the latest D2SIDA Top 25 and No. 9 in the latest NABC Division II Top 25, but the Lions lost at Oklahoma Christian 62-58 on Thursday to fall from the top spot in the conference and into a second-place tie with Oklahoma Christian (5-8, 1-1) and St. Mary’s (5-8, 1-1).
Newman (6-7, 3-0) and No. 16 Dallas Baptist (12-1, 3-0) are tied for first place in the conference. Newman beat Rogers State 89-78 on Thursday, while Dallas Baptist beat St. Edward’s 91-77.
UAFS averages 84 points per game with four players averaging double-figures in scoring — senior guard Darrion Strong-Moore (15.8), senior guard Ladarius Coleman (12.4), senior guard DaVaunta Thomas (12.2) and sophomore guard Kyree Elder (10.2). Junior guard Chris Crawford leads the team in assists per game (2.9).
The Lions out-rebound their opponents by almost seven rebounds per game (41.1-34.2). Coleman leads the team in rebounds per game (7.9).
UAFS allows 71 points per game and forces 16 turnovers per game. Coleman leads the team in steals per game (1.2), and senior forward Brett Jolly and Thomas lead the team in blocked shots per game (0.6).
Newman snapped a two-game losing streak with its win at Rogers State on Thursday.
The Jets average 75 points per game with two players averaging double-figures in scoring — junior guard Ben Ayre (14.2) and junior guard Dametrius Walker (13.8). Ayre leads the team in assists per game (4.5).
Newman out-rebounds its opponents by more than two rebounds per game (35.9-33.6). Senior forward Kevin Bryant leads the team in rebounds per game (7.1) and is one of four Jets averaging four or more rebounds per game.
The Jets allow 79 points per game and force 14 turnovers per game. Walker leads the team in steals per game (1.3) and blocked shots per game (0.7).