FORT SMITH, Ark. — Four Lions finished in double-figures as Missouri Southern men's basketball (7-6, 1-3 MIAA) fell to No. 11-ranked Arkansas Fort Smith (13-0, 4-0 MIAA) 90-83 Saturday afternoon at the Stubblefield Center.
MSSU was led by a strong perimeter shooting performance, connecting on 12 of 23 three-point attempts. UAFS maintained its unbeaten record with the help of 16 three-pointers, securing the victory in a tightly contested matchup that featured four ties and eight lead changes.
Southern now holds an overall record of 7-6 and is 1-3 in conference play. Fort Smith stands at 13-0 overall and 4-0 in MIAA competition.
Brayden Williams scored 16 points, including three 3-pointers, and converted all three of his free throws.
Gavyn Elkamil tallied 16 points, making four 3-pointers and adding five assists. It marked his fifth-straight double-figure game.
Jaden Taylor contributed 16 points and collected six rebounds.
Isaiah Atwater also finished in double-digits scoring, adding 10 points, three rebounds and a trio of assists.
Hunter Fitch recorded a career-best four blocks and three steals, providing a defensive presence on the court.
MSSU initiated the opening half with a strategic play, establishing a back-and-forth scoring rhythm. Elkamil contributed early with a 3-pointer, tying the score at 3–3.
Atwater followed suit, adding a jumper and a triple to help Southern maintain a slight 8-6 edge. The team's effective ball movement resulted in matched assists with the opponent at seven each.
Taylor's layup at 9:45 gave the Lions a 27–21 advantage, marking a critical juncture in the half. MSSU capitalized on its opportunities in the paint, scoring 16 points compared to its opponent's eight.
Elkamil hit a trey before a Taylor layup to push the Missouri Southern lead to 32-24 with 6:37 left in the first half.
Despite a late surge by Fort Smith, who took a narrow lead with a 3-pointer at 1:25, Southern kept the game within reach, closing the half trailing 41–37.
Missouri Southern began the second half by narrowing the deficit to four points with a jumper from Taylor at 19:07 (43-39). Atwater contributed to the effort with a crucial 3-pointer at 17:59, keeping the MSSU Lions within striking distance, 45-42.
Williams led a scoring effort midway through the half with a layup at 10:47 (65-53) and a 3-pointer at 9:27 (65-58), aided by
Tyrone Wright Jr.'s assist.
Missouri Southern also capitalized on free throws, with Wright Jr. converting two at 5:53 to reduce the margin to eight (76-68). However, multiple scores by Fort Smith kept the home team ahead.
In the final minutes, Southern continued to push, with Taylor adding a jumper at 1:42 (86-80) and a pair of free throws with 25 ticks left in regulation.
Despite its offensive efforts, Missouri Southern could not overcome the deficit, ultimately falling to Fort Smith with a final score of 90–83.
MSSU next returns home to host conference rival Pittsburg State on Tuesday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m., CT following the women's contest at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.
