FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball battled back from a double-digit deficit but came up just short in a 79-77 defeat Thursday to Midwestern State Thursday at Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions trailed, 76-64, with 4:30 remaining before going on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 78-74 with 1:02 left.

After a pair of defensive stops, guard Roland McCoy buried a three from the left win to pull the Lions within one with nine seconds left. The Mustangs went 1-for-2 at the line, giving the Lions one last chance. However, the Mustangs blocked the UAFS three at the buzzer to thwart off the comeback attempt.

The Lions got off to a slow start, but chipped away to get within 26-23 with 6:27 left in the first half. A three by McCoy made it 31-30 in favor of MSU before the Mustangs took a 36-31 lead into the break.

MSU used a 6-0 run to lead, 49-38, with the Lions battling back once again to make it a five-point game. MSU then extended the lead back to double digits before the Lions final push to get back in the game.

The Mustangs outrebounded the Lions, 45-31, including 17 offensive rebounds, which led to a 19-6 advantage in second-chance points for the Mustangs.

Despite shooting 49.2 percent from the floor, the Lions struggled beyond the arc and at the free throw line, finishing at just 30.0 percent from distance and 11-for-21 at the line.

UAFS had a season-low six turnovers and forced 12, leading to a 14-10 edge in points off turnovers and 12 fastbreak points. UAFS tallied 48 points in the paint.

Guard Payton Brown scored a team-high 19 points for the Lions, while guard Roland McCoy added 14 points. Forward Ryan Maxwell scored 12 points and guard Cameron Bush 11.

UAFS is back in action Saturday at 3 p.m. versus Cameron.