FORT SMITH, Ark. (Feb. 1, 2020) – Arkansas-Fort Smith had a potent combination of one of NCAA Division II's top scorers and three hot 3-point shooters, and that proved too much for Oklahoma Christian to overcome on Saturday afternoon.

Brian Halums – who entered the game fourth in Division II men's basketball in scoring – poured in 30 points to go with eight rebounds and Matthew Wilson, Evan Anderson and Matiss Sivins combined to go 12 of 21 from behind the arc, leading UAFS to a 78-52 win over the Eagles at the Stubblefield Center.

OC (7-11, 6-8 Lone Star Conference) missed a chance to move up in the league standings, but remained in a tie for 10th with Eastern New Mexico, which also lost Saturday. OC and ENMU are one game ahead of Cameron and UAFS (9-11, 5-9), who are tied for 12th. The top 12 teams in the 18-team league will advance to the LSC postseason tournament.

There weren't many bright spots for the Eagles on Saturday, outside of Will Lienhard grabbing 17 rebounds, matching the highest total by any LSC player in a game this season. But Lienhard – and to a certain extent, his frontcourt running mate, Dedrian Parmer Jr. – were saddled by foul trouble for much of the game and Halums took full advantage.

OC never led, falling behind on a 3-pointer by Anderson 13 seconds into the game and only pulling even once, at 6-6. The Lions then went on a 17-4 run, during which Halums scored six point and Anderson, Wilson and Sivins each hit a 3-pointer.

UAFS led 36-21 after a basket by Charles Botchway to open the second half, but Lienhard dunked to begin an 11-0 run by the Eagles. Another basket by Lienhard pulled OC within 36-32 with 14:55 left.

Halums knocked down four straight free throws and Anderson hit another 3-pointer, though, to put the Lions' lead back in double digits at 43-32 with 12:59 left. OC came no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Wilson went 6 of 13 from 3-point range and scored 21 points for the Lions, while Anderson made 4 of 7 from behind the arc and had 12 points. Sivins hit two of his three 3-point attempts. Botchway had 13 assists for UAFS.

Only Parmer Jr. and Aubrey Johnson reached double figures in points for the Eagles, each scoring 10 points, while D.J. Walter added nine. Lienhard had six points and two blocked shots to go with his 17 rebounds, which put him into sole possession of the LSC lead in the latter category.

OC will play twice on the road next week, visiting Texas-Permian Basin (14-10, 7-8) on Thursday and Western New Mexico (5-16, 4-11) on Saturday.