SAN ANTONIO – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball ran its winning streak to four games with an 80-72 road win at St. Mary's Saturday.

Guard Paige Elston scored a game-high 25 points along with five assists and four steals, as the Lady Lions shot 46.6 percent in the win. Elston was also 10-for-11 from the free throw line, where the Lions finished 21-for-23 as a team.

UAFS trailed by nine late in the first quarter, but had cut the deficit to six after the first 10 minutes. It then started the second quarter on a 7-0 run in the opening minute plus, and later had a 9-0 run to take a 30-25 lead.

The Lions then held their own nine-point lead at 39-30, and went into the break up 41-34. UAFS shot 61.1 percent in the second quarter and outscored the Rattlers, 29-16.

UAFS grew the lead to as many as 13 in the third before the Rattlers cut the deficit to four at 55-51. However, the Lions closed the quarter on an 8-0 run, with both Elston and guard Riley Hayes draining shots from beyond the arc.

It was one of three triples for Hayes, who scored 14 points on 3-of-4 from long range and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe.

The Lions then hit their largest lead of the game at 14 with the first basket of the fourth, and maintained a double-digit lead until the final three minutes. The Rattlers whittled the lead to four with 21 seconds left, but Elston sealed the game with four consecutive free throws. Elston is now fourth in the league in free throw percentage at 83.8 percent.

Forward Mar'Shalia Lollie recorded yet another double-double, contributing 12 points and 13 rebounds. She tallied three steals, as well.

UAFS dominated in the paint, outscoring the Rattlers, 42-28, inside the painted area. It also scored 23 points off 21 St. Mary's turnovers. That led to a 19-10 advantage in fast break points, as well.

The Lions will look to keep their winning streak going Thursday against Angelo State at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.