KEARNEY, Neb. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball raced out to an early lead and then held on for a 66-59 win at Nebraska-Kearney Thursday.

The Lions scored the first five points of the game and led 22-9 at the 10:27 mark of the first half. A three by guard Tommie Williams ballooned the lead to 16 points at 35-19 before the Lions took a 37-23 lead into the break. UAFS went on to lead for over 39 minutes of game time.

UAFS shot 51.9 percent in the first half while holding the Lopers to 24.0 percent.

The Lions extended the lead to 18 in the opening minutes of the second half before the Lopers began to cut into the lead. UNK used a 16-2 run over six minutes to cut the Lion lead to 53-51 with 5:37 remaining.

UAFS then hit four straight free throws before the Lopers cut the lead to one. With 45 seconds left, guard Roland McCoy hit a three from the right wing to put the Lions back up by two possessions, and the Lion defense forced three misses to seal the game.

McCoy led the Lions with 13 points by going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and 4-for-4 from the line, while guard VJ Reeves added 12 points, all from beyond the arc. Guard Kobe Campbell added 10 points with forward Isaiah Lewis contributing nine points and six rebounds.

The Lion defense held the Lopers to just 19.0 percent from beyond the arc and forced 13 turnovers while only turning it over eight times themselves.

Next up for the Lions is a matchup at Fort Hays State Saturday at 2 p.m.