FORT SMITH, Ark. – For the third straight home game it came down to the final possession, but University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball once again came up just short, falling to Newman, 70-67, Saturday at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions led, 48-44, but the Jets went on a 13-2 run over five minutes to take a 57-50 lead with 9:05 left. The Jets built the lead to nine before the Lions cut it to three at 67-64 with 17 second left on a three by guard Elijah Wilson.

After Newman made one of two free throws, guard Tommie Williams converted an and-one opportunity to cut the deficit to one with seven seconds left. The Lions had one final opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer but came up empty.

UAFS started the game off on a 6-0 run on a pair of threes, but the Jets responded with a 13-1 run. The Lions battled back to take a 34-32 lead into the locker room.

The Lions connected on a season-high 10 threes, led by guard Roland McCoy with four. McCoy scored a team-high 16 points in his season debut. Wilson also tallied 16 points off the bench. Guard Terrell Williams Jr. added 11 points and five boards while Williams scored six points with a team-best six boards.

The Jets had advantages of 32-22 in points in the paint and 13-7 in second chance points.

Up next for the Lions is a nonconference matchup against Ecclesia at 6 p.m. on December 13 at Southside High School.