SAN ANTONIO – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball saw a double-digit halftime lead slip away in a 59-57 loss to St. Mary's Thursday in Lone Star Conference action.

The Lions led 36-23 after the first 20 minutes but shot just 25.9 percent in the second half.

Guard Zyniah Thomas hit a three to beat the shot clock with 3:36 to go to give the Lions a five-point lead, but it turned out to be the last points for the Lions. The Rattlers then tallied baskets in each of the final minutes to take a 58-57 lead.

UAFS missed an opportunity to retake the lead on the ensuing possession, then had one final chance to tie or take the lead at the buzzer but came up empty.

The Lions scored the first eight points of the game and led 17-11 after the first quarter. The hot shooting continued in the second quarter, as the Lions went 5-for-8 from beyond the arc and took a 36-23 lead into the break.

Guards Hannah Boyett and Riley Hayes combined for 28 of the 36 points in the first half, with Boyett tallying 12 in the second quarter.

Boyett went on to finish with 19 points on 7-fo-10 shooting, including 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. Hayes tallied 17 points on 3-of-6 from behind the three-point line and 6-for-6 at the charity stripe. Both players had three assists.

Forward Kayla Brundidge recorded six points to go with a game-high 11 rebounds.

St. Mary's nearly doubled up the Lions in points in the paint, 30-16. UAFS finished with 10 made threes, the fourth time this season the Lions have made 10 or more threes.

UAFS will next visit St. Edward's at 1 p.m. Saturday.