University of Southern Mississippi Athletics

Utah Valley Tops Men's Basketball in Jacksonville Classic Opener
11/19/2023 1:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A potential game-tying jumper from Mo Arnold came up short as the clock hit zero in Sunday's 67-65 loss to Utah Valley (3-1, 0-0 WAC) at the Jacksonville Classic. The Golden Eagles (2-2, 0-0 SBC) slide into the consolation bracket following the loss at will play at 10:30 a.m. CT on Monday at Flagler Gymnasium.
Jose Benitez grabbed a defensive rebound with six seconds left before Arnold took control of the offense for the final play. Arnold played fast from the top of the key before letting loose a jumper that clanked off the rim.
The Golden Eagles were led by Victor Hart's career-high 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor. The Florida native got his offensive game started early as he scored the first points of the game after only 10 seconds had ticked off the clock.
Hart was joined in double figures by Austin Crowley and Donovan Ivory. Crowley finished with 15 points before fouling out with just over six minutes to play, while Ivory had 13 points. Southern Miss was in control for much of the first half until Utah Valley's Tanner Toolsen tied the game with a tip-in basket and then Cale Stone-Carrawell gave the Wolverines the lead with 6:13 to play in the half.
Utah Valley stayed in control for the rest of the half and took a 34-30 lead into halftime. Its lead stayed put in the second half until Hart nailed a three-pointer to give Southern Miss a 48-46 lead with 10:54 left in the game.
Toolsen – who had a game-high 22 points – answered right on cue for Utah Valley to spark a momentum shift that resulted in an eight-point lead for the Wolverines with 5:33 on the clock. The Golden Eagles looked to Hart for another three-pointer and back-to-back baskets from Arnold to trim the deficit to two.
The final stretch after Arnold's basket became a flurry of back-and-forth basketball that resulted in Tegra Izay tying the game at 64-64 with just over a minute to play. Unfortunately, Jaden McClanahan snuck to the corner pocket and made an uncontested three to give the Wolverines a three-point lead with 51 ticks left in the game.
That's when Arnold put up his last second shot that fell short. The Golden Eagles shot 40.7 percent from the floor for the game and 50 percent from deep. They connected on 15 of their 24 free throw attempts.
The Southern Miss defense forced 21 turnovers and had 10 steals – Arnold had five of the 10 steals. Izay had two blocks while battling foul trouble and helped Southern Miss finish with four total blocks. Arnold finished with nine points and three boards.
The Golden Eagles will play in the consolation bracket on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. CT against the loser of Cornell and Cal State Fullerton.
Jose Benitez grabbed a defensive rebound with six seconds left before Arnold took control of the offense for the final play. Arnold played fast from the top of the key before letting loose a jumper that clanked off the rim.
The Golden Eagles were led by Victor Hart's career-high 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the floor. The Florida native got his offensive game started early as he scored the first points of the game after only 10 seconds had ticked off the clock.
Hart was joined in double figures by Austin Crowley and Donovan Ivory. Crowley finished with 15 points before fouling out with just over six minutes to play, while Ivory had 13 points. Southern Miss was in control for much of the first half until Utah Valley's Tanner Toolsen tied the game with a tip-in basket and then Cale Stone-Carrawell gave the Wolverines the lead with 6:13 to play in the half.
Utah Valley stayed in control for the rest of the half and took a 34-30 lead into halftime. Its lead stayed put in the second half until Hart nailed a three-pointer to give Southern Miss a 48-46 lead with 10:54 left in the game.
Toolsen – who had a game-high 22 points – answered right on cue for Utah Valley to spark a momentum shift that resulted in an eight-point lead for the Wolverines with 5:33 on the clock. The Golden Eagles looked to Hart for another three-pointer and back-to-back baskets from Arnold to trim the deficit to two.
The final stretch after Arnold's basket became a flurry of back-and-forth basketball that resulted in Tegra Izay tying the game at 64-64 with just over a minute to play. Unfortunately, Jaden McClanahan snuck to the corner pocket and made an uncontested three to give the Wolverines a three-point lead with 51 ticks left in the game.
That's when Arnold put up his last second shot that fell short. The Golden Eagles shot 40.7 percent from the floor for the game and 50 percent from deep. They connected on 15 of their 24 free throw attempts.
The Southern Miss defense forced 21 turnovers and had 10 steals – Arnold had five of the 10 steals. Izay had two blocks while battling foul trouble and helped Southern Miss finish with four total blocks. Arnold finished with nine points and three boards.
The Golden Eagles will play in the consolation bracket on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. CT against the loser of Cornell and Cal State Fullerton.
Team Stats
USM
UVU
FG%
.407
.472
3FG%
.500
.364
FT%
.625
.643
RB
29
39
TO
13
21
STL
10
8
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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