FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball survived a comeback attempt from Missouri Western Thursday night as the Lions held on for a 57-55 victory over the Griffons at the Stubblefield Center.

The Lions missed a pair of free throws in the final seconds that would have put the game away, with the Griffons getting the rebound and making a three-quarter court shot that would eventually get overturned, giving the win to the Lions.

UAFS used a strong defensive effort in the first half to build up a 34-19 lead at the break, holding the Griffons to 30.4 percent shooting. Leading 10-7, the Lions went on a 10-0 run over six minutes, getting a pair of threes from guard Terrell Williams Jr.

The Lions scored the first five points of the second half, as they held their largest lead of the game at 20 points. However, the Griffons slowly chipped away, eventually tying the game at 53 with just under two minutes remaining.

Guard Roland McCoy muscled his way into the lane to take back the lead, followed by a free throw from guard Kobe Campbell. The Lions put the Griffons on the line, where they made both to make it a one-point game heading into the final sequence of events.

Williams Jr. finished with seven points, eclipsing 1,000 points for his career. Guard Tommie Williams posted his first double-double of the season, leading the Lions with 15 points, 12 rebounds and two steals. Guard Elijah Wilson added 13 points in the win while McCoy tallied nine.

The Lions had nine fastbreak points to just two for the Griffons and had an 11-7 edge in points off turnovers.

UAFS will wrap up its home schedule Saturday at the Stubblefield Center at 3 p.m. against Northwest Missouri.