Alva Review-Courier -

FORT SMITH, Ark. (Jan. 9, 2019) – Oklahoma Christian gave up big runs both in the opening minutes and closing minutes at Arkansas-Fort Smith, and all of the work in between wasn't quite enough for the Eagles.

UAFS scored 15 straight points in the first 3½ minutes and closed the game with a 24-5 run, giving the Lions a 92-70 win over OC on Wednesday night at the Stubblefield Center.

UAFS (7-8, 1-2 Heartland Conference) shot a sizzling 11 of 19 from 3-point range (57.9 percent), including 7 of 10 in the first half. Five Lions scored in double figures, led by Tyler Williams with 20 points and seven rebounds and Chris Crawford with 17 points, six assists and five steals.

"We got off to a sluggish start and dug an early hole," OC coach Cory Cole said. "We've got to defend the arc better. We gave up way too many open looks to UAFS, who shoots it well from distance. Our defensive execution was not there when we needed it to be."

Jordan Box scored 24 points for OC (5-8, 0-2). Roderick Smith added 18 points and 11 rebounds (his fourth double-double of the season) and Will Lienhard had eight points, 11 rebounds, six blocked shots (matching his career high) and a career-best five assists, but only three other players scored for the Eagles. One of them, freshman D.J. Walter, had eight points on 3-of-3 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers.

"Jordan made some plays and stepped up and kept us in it," Cole said. "Will defended the paint and led us defensively most of the night. I will have to look at film on a few of those moves that he made. I do like him being aggressive in the post and that was a good sign to see. We've got to get better play on both ends from some other key guys and we were out of sync for stretches."

One of those stretches came at the beginning. After Box swished a 3-pointer to start the game, the Lions scored 15 straight points, a run that included two 3-pointers by Williams and another by Crawford. Not too much longer, UAFS was ahead 31-12 after a three-point play by David Ekezie with 9:33 left in the first half.

A 16-3 run by OC closed the gap and a dunk by Smith pulled the Eagles within 34-28 at the 3:52 mark, but UAFS rebuilt its lead to 42-30 by halftime.

David Ward hit a 3-pointer for the Lions with 15:33 left to give them a 55-41 lead, but OC again rallied. A 3-pointer by D.J. Walter with 10:07 left got OC within 65-61 and resulted in a timeout by UAFS, and moments later, a driving layup by Smith made it a two-point game. When Lienhard dunked with 8:41 left, OC trailed only 68-65.

But OC managed only two baskets with rest of the way. UAFS scored 11 straight points and wasn't challenged after that.

Ward scored 16 points for the Lions, while Matt Morgan had 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots and Seth Hawley had 14 points. Ward, Crawford, Williams, Hawley and Kei'shon Parker each hit at least two 3-pointers for UAFS.

OC will play its third straight road game to start Heartland play on Saturday, when the Eagles visit No. 6-ranked St. Edward's (Texas) for a 3 p.m. contest.