EMPORIA, Kan. – Guard Elijah Wilson scored a team-high 21 points but University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball couldn't overcome a first-half deficit in an 81-75 loss to Emporia State Sunday.

Wilson opened the scoring for the Lions with a triple and finished a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

After trailing by double figures, the Lions cut the deficit to six with just under two minutes to play. However, Emporia answered each Lion basket to hold off the comeback attempt.

Forward Isaiah Lewis tallied a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds while guards Terrell Williams Jr. and VJ Reeves scored 11 and 16 points, respectively. Reeves went 8-for-8 from the charity stripe with Williams corralling seven boards.

The Lions outrebounded the Hornets, 45-26, and had a 23-11 advantage in second-chance points but had 18 turnovers, which led to a 20-8 edge for the Hornets in points off turnovers.

UAFS returns home Thursday to take on Missouri Southern at 7:30 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center.