HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee Southern men's basketball team continued a two-week long road trip down highway 53 to battle Oakwood. The Firehawks not only battled the Ambassadors but also a spirited crowd in an 83-74 victory on Saturday. UTS improved to 7-10 on the season and will hit the hardwood again on Thursday, January 23 at Point University.
Four Firehawks netted double figures in points. Zaiden Cross led all scorers with 24 points, draining five shots from downtown. Vito Vujovic narrowly missed a triple double, with 15 points, 17 rebounds, and seven assists. Mike Bell, Jr. added a double double also with 13 points and 10 boards. Mark Vance added 12 points.

UT Southern accelerated the attack early building their largest lead in the game at the 12:06 mark in the first half leading 23-9. Oakwood would close to within three two times over the next four minutes, but UTS pushed the lead back to nine with three minutes left in the half. UTS led 41-39 at the break. Bell, Jr. led all scorers at the half with 10 points. The Firehawks shot 16-29 (55%) from the field including 4-11 (36%) from range. The UTS defense was plagued by the hot long-distance shooting from the Ambassadors, who drained 7-12 (58%) deep shots.

Halftime adjustments by the Firehawks impeded the Ambassadors and held them to shooting 9-21 (32%), six of those makes were from beyond the arch, in the second half. UTS pushed out to a six point advantage with 14 minutes left, but costly turnovers aided the home squad to tie the game at 54 with 12 minutes left. UTS would run off 20 of the next 28 points to lead by 12 with six and a half left. The Firehawks staved off OU's last chance hopes of a comeback in the final minutes to bring the win back to Pulaski.

BY THE NUMBERS
51.7 – UTS shot 31 of 60 for 51.7 percent, 14 percent better than the Ambassadors.
11 – UTS connected on 11 trifectas, two less than OU.
17 – UTS made 17 trips to the charity stripe, making 10. OU made 23 trips making 17.
47 – UT Southern pulled down 47 rebounds, 21 more than the Ambassadors.
40 – UTS scored 40 points in the paint, 24 more than OU.
24 – UTS took advantage of the offensive boards, scoring 24 points on second chances.

NEXT UP
The Firehawks will travel to West Point, Ga., for an engagement with Point University on January 23. Tipoff is set for seven p.m.