FORT SMITH, Ark. – Guard Payton Brown scored 38 points and forward Jaxon Ingram recorded a double-double as University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball dropped an 80-76 decision Saturday to St. Edward's at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

Brown shot 13-for-21 from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc and 9-for-10 at the charity stripe. Ingram had his best game as a Lion, scoring 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting with a game high 11 rebounds.

UAFS raced out to an 11-2 lead in the first five minutes but the Hilltoppers slowly fought their way back, with the UAFS lead just 16-12 at the second media timeout. St. Edward's took its first lead of the game at 22-21 with 8:39 left in the first half before guard Drew Miller drained a three to put the Lions back on top.

The teams traded baskets the rest of the half, with every lead the Lions got the Hilltoppers would tie the game. St. Edward's made a pair of free throws in the final seconds for a 38-36 advantage at the break.

St. Edward's pulled away to start the second half, leading 55-44 at the 14:06 mark. But Brown and Ingram kept the Lions in the game, combining to score 36 of the team's 40 second half points.

A layup by Ingram with 3:08 remaining finally pulled the Lions within one possession, and guard Cameron Bush followed with a jumper on the ensuing trip down the floor to cut the Hilltoppers' lead to 74-73 with 2:31 left.

UAFS could not get the lead back, however, twice more getting within a single point before the Hilltoppers sank a pair of free throws in the final seconds.

Bush and Miller each added six points for the Lions, with Bush also tallying five boards and four assists. Guard Evan Anderson dished out a career-high nine assists.

UAFS shot 50.9 percent from the field while St. Edward's finished at 49.1 percent.

Next up for the Lions is a four-game road trip, beginning by visiting Midwestern State January 19.