DENTON, Texas – Despite a 72-58 loss Saturday at Texas Woman's to close the regular season, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball clinched the 12th seed in next week's Lone Star Conference Tournament.
UAFS trailed by as many as 18 in the first half but had cut the deficit to five early in the fourth at 53-48. However, the Pioneers later used a 10-2 run to extend the lead back to double digits.
The Lions closed the first half on a 12-3 run over the final three minutes to trim the lead to 41-32 at the break. They then ended the third quarter on a 6-3 run after falling behind by 10, trailing just 53-46 after the third.
TWU scored the first 10 points of the game and shot 62.5 percent in the opening quarter, but the Lions slowly chipped away at the lead, pulling within 19-16 before the quarter ended. When the Lions made their comeback in the third, they held the Pioneers to 21.4 percent shooting.
Guard Paige Elston led the Lions offensively with 15 points while pulling down nine rebounds and pickpocketing five steals. Forward Mar'Shalia Lollie added 13 points and eight rebounds.
UAFS outscored TWU, 19-11, in bench points, led by 12 from guard Dachelle Terry. The Lions also had advantages in fast break points, 11-2, and points in the paint, 30-26.
The Lions will be on the road Tuesday for the opening round of the LSC Tournament, traveling to face fifth-seeded Lubbock Christian. The full bracket will be announced later this evening.
