LAS VEGAS, Nev. – SUU men's basketball led 30-26 at the half but Arkansas-Pine Bluff would use a second half run to down the Thunderbirds at the Las Vegas Classic, 70-61.
The Thunderbirds would get off to a slow start, scoring just two points by the first media timeout, but UAPB couldn't take advantage, as the Thunderbirds would get into a rhythm offensively. SUU went on a 14-0 run to take a 16-9 lead and would push that lead to 15 points at 28-13 before the Lions made their run before the half. They would use a 13-2 run to pull back to within four at 30-26 by halftime.
Travon Langston and James McGee led the Thunderbirds in the first half with seven points each. Cal Hanks chipped in five points and three rebounds and Race Parsons had three points, three rebounds and two assists.
As a team, the Thunderbirds shot just 36.0 percent from the field but 62.5 percent from three, a big reason they had the lead at halftime. They had 18 rebounds at the half and six assists.
UAPB would come out in the second half and take the lead by the first media timeout 38-35. At the 10-minute mark, the Lions would push their lead to 10-points at 49-39, making their run 23-9 to start the second half. SUU would fight back and after a McGee four-point play would get within four at 56-52.
Another McGee three would pull SUU to within three at 60-57, but UAPB responded with four straight points to make it 64-57 with just under four minutes to play. Four straight from the Thunderbirds and a UAPB free throw made the score 65-61 before the Lions would seal the game with free throws to win the game, 70-61.
McGee finished the game 4-7 from downtown for 16 points to lead the Thunderbirds. Race Parsons chipped in 12 points and Casey Oliverson was one point away from a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.
The Thunderbirds shot 4-12 in the second half from three and 45 percent for the game. They were 35.8 percent from the field overall and 63.6 from the free throw line.
SUU will play South Carolina State tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. MST again at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
