FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball shot 69.2 percent from three Saturday but came up short in a 78-73 defeat to visiting St. Edward's Saturday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions went 4-for-4 in the second half and 5-for-9 in the first half from behind the arc to finish 9-for-13. Guard Hannah Boyett made three triples while guards Riley Hayes and Rodrea Echols each made two.

UAFS fell behind 10-3 early, but a three by Echols cut the deficit to 16-13 in the final minute of the first quarter. St. Edward's led by as many as 14 in the second quarter, but the Lions continued to battle and went into the locker room down, 38-31.

The teams traded blows in the third quarter, and the Lions got within one at 58-57 early in the fourth on a layup by guard Aaliyah Prince. St. Edward's scored four straight points to lead by five before guard Sydney Nunley canned a three to make it 62-60 with 7:01 remaining.

However, every time the Lions would make it a one possession game the Hilltoppers had an answer of their own. A three by guard Truth Taylor got UAFS back to within 73-71 with two minutes left but the Hilltoppers closed out the game with five free throws.

Both teams shot the ball well, with St. Edward's shooting 51.0 percent and UAFS 47.3 percent.

Prince led the Lions with 16 points, while forward Kayla Brundidge scored 14 points to got with seven rebounds. Boyett dished out four assists to go with nine points with both Hayes and Echols contributing eight points apiece.

The Lions begin a four-game road trip next week, beginning by visiting Midwestern State January 19.