TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball had five score in double figures as the Lions opened MIAA play with an 86-75 win at Northeastern State on Tuesday.

A game of runs, the Lions got the last one as they went on a 14-3 run over five minutes midway through the second half to take a 59-52 lead. The Lions then opened the lead to 12 on threes by guard Jack Hoth before leading by 16 with 4:11 left.

UAFS had led by eight at the half, but the RiverHawks started the half on a 14-2 run before the Lions answered back with the aforementioned run by its bench unit. Hoth scored all 12 of his points in the second half, with the bench contributing 38 points.

The Lions came out firing from the tip, racing out to a 14-3 lead. UAFS extended the lead to 21-9 before NSU scored 12 straight points to tie the game at 21. The runs continued, as the Lions broke out with a 16-5 run for a 37-26 advantage.

UAFS continued its hot shooting from three, finishing 11-for-22 from beyond the arc and 52.7 percent from the floor overall. Defensively, the Lions forced 18 turnovers and had a 26-16 edge in points off turnovers to go with 18 fast break points.

Forward Kameron Johnson led the Lions with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 5-for-6 from the line while guard Christian Moore had 13 points. Guard Aiden Buckmon had all 11 of his points in the first half with guard VJ Reeves adding 11 points and six rebounds. UAFS had 14 assists on 30 made baskets.

Forward Kanaan Holder had seven of his nine points in the second half, as well.

The Lions continue league play Saturday when they visit Newman at 3:30 p.m.