WICHITA, Kan. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball shot just 28.3 percent as the Lions dropped their season opener, 77-53, against Southern Arkansas in the MIAA/GAC Challenge Friday afternoon.

After a slow start, the Lions used a 10-3 run in the second half of the first quarter to pull back within four at 16-12. However, an 11-2 run by the Muleriders put them back up double digits.

Guard Morgan Browning led the Lions with 11 points while guard Anna Trusty tallied eight points and six rebounds. Trusty made two of the Lions' four threes for the game. Forward Sinetra Jones pulled down a team-high six boards to go with four blocks.

Southern Arkansas took advantage of 20 UAFS turnovers, recording a 27-14 edge in points off turnovers. SAU also had a 48-22 advantage in points in the paint.

The Lions close out the weekend at 8 p.m. Saturday against UA-Monticello, who earned a 73-47 win over host Newman earlier in the day.