SALT LAKE CITY – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball came up just short in overtime Friday, dropping a 77-73 decision at Westminster College in its season opener.
Guard Riley Hayes made a game-tying layup in the final seconds to force overtime and made a three to pull the Lions within 74-73 with 20 seconds left in overtime, but the Griffins sealed the game with three free throws.
The Lions had scored the first four points of the overtime period, but the Griffins went on a 9-2 run over the next two-and-a-half minutes.
UAFS started the game by knocking down five triples in the first quarter en route to a 22-10 lead by shooting 53.3 percent from the field. The Griffins then shot 75 percent in the second quarter to make it 36-34 in favor of the Lions at the break.
The Lions extended the lead back to as many as nine early in the third quarter, but the Griffins tied the game on a 9-0 run and ended the quarter on a 13-2 run over the final 7:57.
The margin stayed within four for the entirety of the fourth quarter as both defenses clamped down.
Guard Aaliyah Prince paced the Lions with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 9-of-18 shooting. Guard Riley Hayes added 15 points with three made triples while guard Rodrea Echols tallied 11 points.
UAFS made 11 threes in the game and held Westminster to just 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. UAFS also had advantages in bench points (20-13) and points off turnovers (15-10). However, UAFS shot just three free throw attempts while Westminster went 18-for-23 at the line.
The Lions and Griffins will meet again Saturday at 6 p.m. central.
