TYLER, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball was unable to complete the second half comeback at UT Tyler Saturday, falling 79-71 to the Patriots at the Herrington Patriot Center.

The Lions (3-9, 3-9 LSC) briefly took a 38-36 lead at the 17:16 mark on a three by sophomore guard Evan Anderson, and Anderson quickly extended the lead to four.

However, the Patriots (6-9, 5-9 LSC) went on a 13-3 run over the next four minutes to regain the lead, one they held for more than 36 minutes.

Back-to-back threes by Anderson and freshman guard Terrell Kabala pulled the Lions within four late in the second half, and Kabala converted a three-point play just minutes later to pull within 66-64 with four minutes left.

UT Tyler then scored the next five points before Anderson made another triple to trail by four once again, but that was as close as the Lions would get the rest of the way.

UAFS trailed by as many as 14 in the first half, but ended the half on an 8-0 run, as the Patriots took a 31-28 lead into the break. UAFS then extended that run by starting the half on a 12-5 spurt, concluding with the five points from Anderson.

Freshman guard Payton Brown led the Lions with 25 points, again not missing a free throw as he went 12-for-12 from the line. Anderson was the only other Lion in double figures with 19 points, while also adding five assists.

Kabala scored all eight of his points in the second half, and freshman forward Justus Cooper led UAFS with 10 rebounds while scoring four points.

After shooting just 34.8 percent in the first half, the Lions caught fire in the second, shooting 60.9 percent to finish at 47.8 percent.

Turnovers once again plagued the Lions, as they turned the ball over 23 times, leading to a 22-8 advantage in points off turnovers for the Patriots. UTT turned the ball over just nine times

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Lions, as they face Dallas Baptist in a home and home February 18-20. DBU currently leads the LSC North Division at 13-2, 12-2 LSC.