FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball shot a season-best 57.1 percent from the field in a 72-60 Lone Star Conference win over Oklahoma Christian Tuesday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.
The Lady Lions shot over 60 percent in both the second and fourth quarters, while holding the Eagles to 36.8 percent overall.
Once again, the Lions closed with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Eagles, 23-12. This coming after the Eagles trimmed the lead to one with a 13-4 run over the final four minutes of the third quarter.
UAFS held a 39-27 lead at the break after a 23-12 second quarter, extending its one-point lead it held after one frame. In that opening quarter, the Eagles raced out to a 7-0 lead before the Lions slowly chipped away.
The Lions never trailed after taking the lead with 30 seconds left in the first, leading for over 30 minutes of game time. Oklahoma Christian was only able to tie the game at 53-53 early in the fourth before the Lions went on a 12-0 run spanning nearly six minutes.
Forward Mar'Shalia Lollie paced the offense off the bench, recording yet another double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Lollie was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and 2-for-2 at the free throw line. She also added three steals.
Guard Paige Elston chipped in with 13 points with guard Kalina Foster adding 10 points off the bench, knocking down a pair of three pointers.
Also off the bench, forward Tyauna Vaught contributed eight points. Forward Dala Allen scored a season-high eight points in just eight minutes.
The Lions had a 40-24 advantage in points in the paint and outscored the Eagles in bench points by a wide margin, 41-1. Three of the top four scorers for the Lions came off the bench Tuesday. They also scored 26 points off 23 Eagle turnovers.
Despite not shooting a free throw in the first half, the Lions finished the game 10-for-12 from the line. They were 28-for-49 from the field for a season-high 57.1 percent.
These two teams will face off again on Thursday, as the Lions make the return trip to Oklahoma City for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
