FIREHAWKS OVERWHELM MEN'S BASKETBALL

PULASKI, Tenn. – At the Robert E. Curry Christian Life Center, the University of Tennessee Southern erupted out of the gate and carried that momentum through the final whistle to defeat the Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team, 76-50.

The Blue Raiders shot 58.3 percent from the field in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome the first-half barrage put forth by the Firehawks.

For the fourth time this season, Elijah Jordan paced the local's offense with 13 points, followed by 11 from Johrdon Mumford for the second time in as many games. The foremost mentioned also led the Raiders with six total boards and three steals.

Eight additional scorers contributed for Lindsey Wilson on the evening, and all but one Blue Raider recorded at least one rebound.

Back-to-back jumpers by Lucas Ribeiro and Rodney Lewis set the visitors up with a 4-0 lead in the early stages of the first frame. From there, however, the 'Hawks countered with a 19-5 stretch that eventually ballooned to a 41-15 halftime cushion.

Lindsey Wilson was able to generate a little rhythm in the initial moments of the second half and ended up tallying even with their opposition with 35 points each.

All told, the Blue Raiders made up for a tough start to finish 20-for-47 from the floor.

Lewis chipped in a team-high four assists to bring his team-leading season total to 17.

Lindsey Wilson returns to Bigger Sports Center on Tuesday evening for the season's first edition of the "Battle of Highway 55." The action against Campbellsville University begins at 7:30 p.m. CST.