FORT SMITH – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men’s Basketball has announced its 2023-24 schedule, the first for head coach Zane Gibson and the final year in the Lone Star Conference for the Lions.
The schedule features 28 games, with six nonconference opponents and 22 LSC contests. Six foes were 2023 NCAA Tournament participants.
The season tips off once again with the South Central Region Challenge, which sees the Lions travel to Spearfish, South Dakota, Nov. 10-11 to face Metropolitan State University of Denver and host Black Hills State. Black Hills State reached the Final Four a season ago.
UAFS then hosts Harding University in its home opener at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center November 18 followed by a home contest against Ecclesia College Nov. 21.
A trip to Southern Nazarene on Nov. 25 is sandwiched between those to home games and the start of conference play, which begins at the Stubblefield Center Nov. 30 against West Texas A&M. The opening weekend of conference play concludes with a matchup against Lubbock Christian December 2.
The Lions will close out the first half of their schedule before winter break at Angelo State (Dec.7), UT Permian Basin (Dec. 9) and Oklahoma Christian (Dec. 19).\
Dallas Christian College comes to Fort Smith Dec. 30 to conclude nonconference play and to get the second half started before the Lions go back on the road at Dallas Baptist and UT Tyler to resume LSC action.
Remaining home opponents will then include Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas A&M International, Midwestern State, Cameron, UT Tyler, DBU, St. Edward’s, St. Mary’s and Oklahoma Christian for the regular season finale on March 1.
The road schedule also includes trips to St. Mary’s, St. Edward’s, Texas A&M International, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Western New Mexico and Eastern New Mexico.
Postseason play begins with the LSC Tournament March 7-10 with the NCAA South Central Regional set to take place March 16-19.
Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Sports Information Office, Jostun Pomplun.
