TYLER, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball nearly overcame a 20-point first quarter deficit, but came up just short in a 60-55 loss at UT Tyler Thursday at the Herrington Patriot Center.

Tied at five early in the first quarter, the Patriots closed the last seven and a half minutes of the first quarter with a 20-0 run.

But UAFS would chip away, holding the Patriots to just seven points on 20.0 percent shooting in the second quarter. Guard Ashanti Eden would bank in a three at the buzzer to end the half, bringing the Lady Lions within 32-19.

The deficit continued to shrink, as the Lions cut it to 43-39 at the end of the third quarter. Trailing 38-27, UAFS used an initial 8-2 run to cut the deficit to five.

UAFS cut the lead to two in the first minute of the fourth quarter, A 6-0 Patriots run got the lead back to eight, and the Lions were unable to get within five the rest of the way.

Eden and forward Mar'Shalia Lollie scored 14 points, with Lollie recording a double-double by pulling down 10 rebounds. Eden led the Lions with three assists.

Guard Paige Elston narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 10 points to go with eight boards. Guard Nya Stewart added nine points, all from beyond the arc.

For the third straight game, UAFS recorded at least 20 offensive rebounds.

The Lions close the first half of the season at Texas A&M – Commerce at 2 p.m. Monday.