FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball came up just short in yet another close game, falling 59-59 to Oklahoma Christian in Lone Star Conference action Tuesday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

Both teams started slow before the Eagles would take a six-point lead midway through the first half. They would get the lead to 19-12 until the Lions took their first lead with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes.

UAFS would take that four-point lead into the half at 28-24.

Oklahoma quickly regained the lead in the first three minutes of half number two, as the teams traded blows for the next 10 minutes of action. A three put OC back up by six, with the Lions answering with a three by guard Courtney Murrell to pull back within 53-50.

However, a dunk and technical foul allowed the Eagles to match their largest lead of seven points at 57-50.

But UAFK kept coming back, getting a pair of baskets in the paint before pulling within 57-55 with 23 seconds left.

After OC missed the front end of the one-and-one, guard Matthew Wilson went for the win with a triple, but had it bounce off the rim to which the Eagles secured the rebound and made the ensuing free throws for the final margin.

Guard Daryl McElrath led the Lions with 13 points of the bench, shooting 6-for-9 from the floor to go with four rebounds. Forward Chris Rollins totaled his third double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wilson chipped in with nine points.

Oklahoma Christian had a 12-5 edge in fast break points, while the Lions had a 24-6 advantage in bench points.

The Lions are back in action Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Western New Mexico at the Stubblefield Center.