DENVER – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball saw an eight-point second half lead slip away as it concluded the Lone Star/Rocky Mountain Challenge with a loss to host Metropolitan State University of Denver, 60-54, Sunday afternoon.

Forward Chris Rollins drained a three at the buzzer to give UAFS a 31-26 lead at the break as it capped a 12-0 run over the final five minutes of the first half.

The Lions then extended the lead to 42-34 on a three by guard Matthew Wilson with 13:31 remaining. UAFS would hold that lead for the next seven minutes, before the Roadrunners took a 50-49 lead with 6:18 left.

Rollins would convert a pair of free throws to give the lead back to the Lions, but they scored just two points over the next five minutes as MSU-Denver went on an 8-2 run. UAFS would briefly pull within four in the final minute but could not come away with the road victory.

Wilson was the only Lion to reach double figures with 11 points as they struggled from the floor, shooting just 33.3 percent. Both Rollins and guard Courtney Murrell scored nine points apiece.

The Lions defense was just as stingy, holding the Roadrunners to 37.3 percent from the floor.

UAFS did turn 16 offensive rebounds into 20 second chance points. Rollins, Murrell and forward David Ekezie all had six rebounds each.

UAFS will next host University of the Ozarks Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in its home opener at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.