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LIONS FALL
IN GSC TOURNAMENT
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. –
The University of North Alabama’s drive for a Gulf South
Conference men’s basketball title came to an end Saturday as
the Lions came out on the short end of a hard-fought 80-69
loss to Christian Brothers in the semifinal round of the
tournament.
UNA,
now 24-8 overall, scored the opening basket of the game but
would never lead again as the Buccaneers built as much as a
13-point lead in the first half and a 15-point advantage in
the second half before settling for the 11-point win.
North
Alabama eliminated Christian Brothers from the GSC
Tournament last season.
The
Lions hit just one three-point attempt in the first half and
were only four-of-19 from the arc for the game. UNA shot
just 37.8 percent from the floor, while Christian Brothers
hit 53.8 percent of its shots.
Thomas Fraise hit the opening bucket for UNA but Kyle
Couvion hit a three for CBU and the Lions never led again.
The Buccaneers lead steadily grew to 13 at 35-22 before the
Lions managed a slight run before the half. UNA trimmed the
lead to seven but a last-second CBU basket made it 41-32 at
the half.
The
Lions started strong in the second half but CBU managed to
maintain the lead. North Alabama finally got within a basket
when Casey Holt hit a short jumper to make it 60-58 with
5:41 left. Christian Brothers capped the game at the line
for the 80-69 win.
Fraise and Kenny Johnson had 16 points each to lead UNA,
while Holt had 14 and Quinn Beckwith 10. Kevin Weybright led
CBU with 23 points, while Nick Kohs had 17, Couvion 15,
Justin Ray 12 and Reggie Peyton 10.
UNA’s
Casey Holt had 14 points in the game to push his career
total to 1,158. He now ranks as the 12th leading
scorer in Lion history, moving past Tamp Harris.
The
loss ended UNA’s nine-game winning streak and extended
Christian Brothers’ win streak to 10. The Buccaneers are now
21-9.
UNA’s
24 wins this season equals the third most wins in a season
in school history.
North
Alabama will find out where it will play in the NCAA
Division II National Tournament on Sunday night at 9:30 when
the pairings are released by the NCAA. |