HAYS, Kan. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Men's Basketball engaged in a defensive battle Saturday at Fort Hays State, but the Tigers came out on top, 59-53, at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The Lions nearly erased a 16-point halftime deficit, cutting the lead to one at 43-42 with 6:58 left on a three by forward Isaiah Lewis. The Tigers then scored four straight points to go up by five before guard Roland McCoy hit another three to bring the deficit back to two.

However, each time the Lions cut it to one or two possessions the Tigers had an answer on the other end of the floor.

Fort Hays scored the first seven points of the game, but the Lions responded with a 10-2 run to take a 10-9 lead. Guard VJ Reeves tallied five of his seven points during the run. But the Tigers answered right back, turning a 14-13 lead into a 34-18 lead at the half.

UAFS shot just 35.4 percent while the Tigers shot 48.9 percent. The Tigers also had a 19-7 edge in points off turnovers.

McCoy led the Lions with 12 points, all from beyond the arc. Lewis posted a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds while guard Elijah Wilson joined Reeves with scoring seven points.

UAFS returns home Thursday to face top-ranked Washburn at 7:30 p.m. at the Stubblefield Center.