Joplin, Mo. -- A four-point play and a pair of free throws late in the contest by Skyler Bowlin helped the Missouri Southern basketball team come away with a crucial regional road victory tonight, winning 75-70 at Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Southern (4-0) was led in scoring by Bowlin's 15 points as five different Lions scored in double figures. Bowlin went 5-12 from the field and 2-5 from long range while hitting 3-4 from the charity stripe. Kevin Hinsey had a career-high 14 points off the bench for Southern, while Keane Thomann scored 11 and brought down 10 boards. Jason Adams scored 11, as well, while Marquis Addison added ten.
UAFS (3-2) was led in scoring by Djordje Stojanovic with 16 points as the center hit 4-7 from long-range.
The Lions led for most of the first half and took a 39-35 lead into the locker room at the break. Southern led by ten twice in the second half, the first after a three by Adams made the score 57-47 and the second time after a pair of freebies from Hinsey gave the Lions a 59-59 advantage with 12:17 to play.
UAFS tied the score twice and went ahead once after a three from Stojanovic, but back-to-back layups from Thomann and Bowlin made the Lions' lead four (71-67) with under a minute and half to play. A three from UAFS' Jonathon Sharpless with four seconds to play made the score 71-70, Southern, but clutch free-throws from Chris Baker and Bowlin down the stretch sealed the win.
Southern will head into MIAA play after getting the Thanksgiving holiday off and will travel to Truman State for a December 1 game against the Bulldogs.
