CU men grab another key road win

FORT SMITH, Ark.—Don’t look now but Cameron University’s men’s basketball team is climbing the Lone Star Conference West Division standings after another clutch road win, this one an 86-68 decision over the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

With the win the Aggies are now 9-4 in LSC action which puts them tied for third before several late games were played Saturday evening. West Texas men are 12-0 and hold a big edge over Lubbock Christian at 9-3. Cameron is tied with Angelo State while Eastern New Mexico was trying to join that group later Saturday night.

The Aggies of Coach Kevin O’Connor trailed for just a couple of minutes in the first half before surging out in front, building the lead to 21 before running out the clock

Cameron’s offense remains a strong point for the club and the Aggies continue to be able to get out on the fast break and get easy buckets in transition. All total the Aggies put 23 points on the scoreboard off Lions turnovers.

Three Aggies scored 16 points a piece to combine for 48 points. Lavell Brodnex, Jaylan Thomas, and Daylon Andrews each recorded 16 points in the victory and Reggie Prudhome added 11 points in the win.

The Aggie men have a chance Thursday to really shake up the LSC as they head to Canyon, Texas, to face the Buffs. The schedule begins at 5:30 p.m. with the women’s game while the men’s game will follow 30 minutes after the completion of the women’s contest.

Women unable to cap rally

The Fort Smith crew controlled this game from the opening tipoff but down the stretch Jeff Mahoney’s club got within four at one point late in the game but the Lions saved the LSC win.

The Aggies tied up the game early in the first period, however, that would be the closest the Aggies came to taking the lead. During the second half the Lions increased their lead to 19 at its peak.

But with some shoots finding the mark, the Cameron women mounted a comeback in the fourth period but the Aggies ran out of time and dropped another tough road setback.

Shamica Smith led all scorers with 24 and pulled down eight rebounds while Katie King added 23 and Kori Allensworth 19. It was Allensworth who got CU within four at 78-74, but that came with 15 seconds left and not enough time to tie it and force overtime or pull out a win.

The Aggies shot well, hitting 53 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free-throw line. Mahoney continues to try and find some help off the bench as the Aggie reserves failed to score a single point in the narrow loss while the Lions’ reserves added 13 points which proved to be the difference.

UT-Permian Basin women lead the West Division at 10-2 while Lubbock Christian and Angelo State are close behind at 9-3. West Texas stands at 6-6 with Cameron and Midwestern close behind at 5-8.