SILVER CITY, N.M. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball got one step closer to securing a postseason berth Thursday, grinding out a 59-55 win at Western New Mexico. 

Tied 42-42 late in the third quarter, guard Riley Hayes hit a pair of free throws to start a 9-0 run as the Lions took control of the game. Hayes led all scorers with 20 points on 5-for-10 shooting with three triples and a 7-for-8 effort at the charity stripe.

WNMU cut the lead back down to three multiple times, but forward Kayla Brundidge answered each time with a layup before Hayes iced the game with two more free throws. Brundidge tallied 17 points to go with a game-high nine rebounds. 

UAFS started the game up 9-4, but the Mustangs rallied back to take an 18-13 lead after the first quarter and then held a 32-31 lead at the break. 

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, as it featured five lead changes and three ties before Hayes' free throws put the Lions up for good. 

After trailing at the half, the Lions defense buckled down in the third, holding the Mustangs to 18.2 percent shooting. UAFS held the Mustangs to 36.8 percent for the game. 

UAFS received 55 of its 59 points from its starters, with guard Morgan Browning adding eight points and seven boards and guard Baylee Fincher contributing seven points, five rebounds and four assists. Guard Zyniah Thomas also dished out four helpers. 

The Lions continue the road trip Saturday at Eastern New Mexico at 2 p.m.