FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball shot 66.7 percent in the second half but it wasn't enough to rally from an 11-point halftime deficit in a 74-66 setback to St. Mary's Thursday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions trailed 52-40 with 11:04 remaining before going on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, receiving a basket from forward Connor Slater and threes by guards Payton Brown and Evan Anderson.

The deficit bounced between four and six points for the next four minutes until the Lions cut the lead to one on a layup by forward Jaxon Ingram. However, the Rattlers responded with an 8-1 run for a 68-60 lead with 2:05 left.

UAFS made one final push, getting back within 68-64 with a minute left, but the Rattlers were able to close out the game at the free throw line.

The Lions made their first four threes in the second half after not making one in the first half and finished at 49.0 percent overall. St. Mary's shot 60.9 percent in the second half and finished at 54.0 percent for the game.

Both teams pounded the ball inside, with the Lions scoring 38 points in the paint and the Rattlers scoring 30. St. Mary's outrebounded the Lions, 32-22.

Brown led the Lions with 25 points, going 7-for-16 from the floor and 9-for-10 at the free throw line. Guard Cameron Bush added 14 points, five boards and four assists while forward David Ekezie chipped in 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting.

The Lions next face St. Edward's at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Stubblefield Center.