FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball nearly erased a 22-point deficit but came up short in a 68-66 defeat to Southern Nazarene Friday at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions trailed by 20 with 13:47 remaining, but slowly chipped away at the deficit, cutting it to single digits on a pair of free throws by guard Elijah Wilson with 3:28 left.

On the next possession, guard VJ Reeves drained a corner three as the Lions made it a two-possession game at 65-59 at the 2:57 mark. Reeves then converted an and-one opportunity and sank two more free throws to pull the Lions within 67-64 with 56 seconds on the clock. Reeves finished with game-high 19 points with three triples and shot 6-for-7 at the line.

A layup by forward Isaiah Lewis cut the lead to one with 17 seconds, and SNU missed the first free throw attempt, but gathered the offensive rebound and split the second pair of free throws.

The Lions raced up the floor off the rebound, but a long three bounced just short off the rim at the buzzer.

After the Crimson Storm shot 59.3 percent in the first half, UAFS held them 20 just 21 points and 25.0 percent shooting in the second half.

Wilson added 13 points and six rebounds while guard Terrell Williams Jr. tallied 11 points and eight boards off the bench. Forward Jace Linenberger pulled down a team-high nine boards, eight on the offensive end as the Lions won the rebounding battle, 38-29.

UAFS next visits Quincy on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. tipoff.