AUSTIN, Texas – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball used a 6-0 run to end the first half to take the lead and never look back in a 74-69 Lone Star Conference win at St. Edward's Thursday.

The Lions trailed 33-32 with four minutes left in the opening half before they forced five missed shots and a pair of turnovers to hold the Hilltoppers scoreless. Forward Chris Rollins tied the game with a free throw and guard Matthew Wilson hit a jumper and a three to put UAFS up 38-33 at the break.

St. Edward's cut the lead to 42-41 in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Lions never relinquished the lead and slowly built it up to nine points. Every time the Hilltoppers made a mini run, the Lions grew the lead back to nine.

The Hilltoppers made one final push in the final minutes trimming the lead to two with 26 seconds left, but Wilson and guard Courtney Murrell sank three free throws for the final margin.

UAFS had five players score in double figures, led by Wilson with 18 points. Both guard Evan Anderson and reserve forward Justus Cooper added 14 points, with Cooper also pulling down seven boards.

Rollins scored 13 points with seven rebounds, while Murrell tallied 10 points with a game-high seven assists. Both Rollins and Murrell had two steals apiece.

UAFS held advantages in points off turnovers and second chance points, tallying six offensive rebounds It won the battle of the boards, 28-24, and allowed just two offensive rebounds.

St. Edward's outshot UAFS 52.2 percent to 46.9 percent, but the Lions made six more free throw attempts. Anderson was 6-for-6 from the line.

The Lions continue the road trip Saturday at St. Mary's with a 4 p.m. tipoff.