FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball forced 31 turnovers as the Lions routed Westminster in its season opener Friday, 78-47 at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions scored 25 points off those turnovers, with all 14 players seeing action in the win. 13 of the 14 players recorded a point for the Lions. Nine had five or more points.

Westminster scored the first points of the game before the Lions went on a 12-0 over three minutes and led 23-11 after the first 10 minutes while shooting 61.5 percent.

UAFS extended the lead by outscoring the Griffins, 21-9, in the second quarter and then shot 55.6 percent in the third as they had a 26-12 scoring edge. The Lions grew the lead to as many as 41 early in the fourth quarter.

Guard Zyniah Thomas paced the Lions with 15 points and four steals while shooting 6-for-9 from the floor and 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Guard Takaylan Busby led a terrific bench outing with 14 points, as the Lions outscored the Griffins 45-5 in bench points.

UAFS was 10-for-25 from the three-point line, with Busby also adding three makes from distance.

Forwards Allana Thompson and McKenzie Piper each led the Lions with six rebounds. Guard Baylee Fincher had a team-high five steals.

The Lions and Griffins will meet once again Saturday at 6 p.m.