FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball was unable to continue the momentum from its comeback win last week, dropping a 75-56 decision to St. Mary's Thursday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions struggled in the opening quarter, shooting just 18.2 percent and trailing 15-4 after the first 10 minutes.

Down 37-21 at the half, the Lions slowly chipped away at the Rattlers lead in the third quarter. Back-to-back threes by guards Esther Oluade and Rodrea Echols trimmed the St. Mary's lead to 45-39 with 2:50 left in the third.

UAFS traded baskets with the Rattlers over the next five minutes and eventually cut the lead to six on a jumper by forward Kayla Brundidge with 7:48 remaining in the fourth. The Lions remained within seven with four minutes left but the Rattlers closed the game on a 15-3 run.

St. Mary's shot 64.3 percent in the fourth quarter.

UAFS finished 8-for-21 from beyond the arc, going 6-for-7 in the third quarter alone. The Lions shot 54.5 percent in the third and 55.6 percent in the second, respectively.

Oluade and guard Aaliyah Prince each led the Lions with 12 points off the bench. Each went 6-for-8 from the free throw line. Guard Riley Hayes scored nine points – all from beyond the arc – and had three assists.

St. Mary's outrebounded the Lions, 45-24, and had a 15-1 edge in second chance points.

Next up for the Lions is a home contest against St. Edward's at 1 p.m. Saturday.