FORT SMITH, Ark. – Guard Payton Brown recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds as University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men’s Basketball defeated Dallas Christian, 77-63, Saturday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center to close out 2023.
The 10 rebounds are a career high for Brown. Guards Roland McCoy and Lian Ramiro joined Brown in double figures with 16 and 10 points, respectively.
After a slow start saw the Lions trailing 6-3 at the first media timeout, UAFS made it a priority to attack the paint and immediately went on a 6-0 run. UAFS went on to finish with 46 points in the paint compared to just 10 for the Crusaders.
The Crusaders stayed within striking distance throughout the first half, as the Lions led 36-29 at the break.
UAFS started the second half on a 5-0 run only to see the Crusaders score the next six points. The Lions then pushed the lead back to double digits with 12:34 left and grew the lead to as many as 14 to led by at least nine for the remainder of the game.
Forwards Furaha Cadeaux de Dieu and Ryan Maxwell each chipped in with eight points while guard Cameron Bush and forward Jace Linenberger tallied seven points apiece.
11 of the 14 turnovers the Lions forced were steals, with McCoy, Bush and guard Tyler Frederick each grabbing two steals.
The Lions return to conference play January 4 at Dallas Baptist for a 7 p.m. tip.
