FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball was unable to overcome a hot start by St. Edward's Tuesday, as the ninth-seeded Hilltoppers bested the eighth-seeded Lions, 68-59, at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

The Hilltoppers hit eight of their first 10 shots as they raced out a 23-6 advantage at the 12:17 mark. UAFS briefly got the deficit to single digits on a three by guard Drew Miller with 1:43 left before the Hilltoppers took a 35-25 lead into halftime.

After an even first three minutes of the second half, the Lions started a comeback, hitting three triples to go on a 9-1 run to pull within 43-39 with more than 14 minutes remaining.

Out of the timeout, however, St. Edward's held the Lions scoreless for the next four minutes as it went on an 8-0 run to lead by 12.

For every UAFS basket, the Hilltoppers had an answer, as the Lions couldn't get the deficit lower than eight. A three by guard Matthew Wilson cut the lead to seven with 20 seconds left, but the Hilltoppers sealed the game at the free throw line.

The Lions held the Hilltoppers to 37.0 percent shooting in the second half after they shot 55.2 percent in the first half, but St. Edward's pulled down 11 total offensive rebounds and won the battle on the boards, 35-27.  SEU would shoot 46.4 percent for the game while UAFS shot45.7 percent.

Forward Chris Rollins led the Lions offensively with 18 points and five rebounds, while Wilson and Miller each totaled 14 points and made four threes apiece. Wilson dished out four assists, as well.

Guard Courtney Murrell totaled eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.

St. Edward's dominated in the paint, outscoring the Lions, 42-14. It also had an 18-14 edge in points off turnovers.

UAFS ends its season 14-13, 8-6 LSC.