KANSAS CITY – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Women's Basketball saw its season come to a close Friday as the Lions suffered a 79-73 defeat in the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals to No. 3 seed Missouri Western at Municipal Auditorium.

The Lions took a 54-53 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Griffons started the fourth on a 5-0 run. UAFS answered with a 5-0 run of its own, however, the Griffons went on to pull away with a 12-2 spurt over the next three minutes.

UAFS got back within four with 49 seconds left, but the Griffons closed out the game by going 7-for-8 at the foul line.

Missouri Western started the game on an 11-0 run before the Lions started to claw their way back into the game. UAFS got within five to end the first quarter and took its first lead at 28-27 late in the second quarter on a jumper by guard Morgan Browning. The teams then traded triples before the Lions took a 36-35 lead into the locker room.

After the Griffons tied the game at 38, the Lions went on an 8-0 run for their largest lead of the game at 46-38, capped by a three by guard Daijah Smith. Smith went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc for the game and finished with 12 points.

The Griffons then rallied to take a 53-52 lead before Browning connected on a jumper at the buzzer to put the Lions back in front.

Guard Telisha Brown led the Lions with 15 points off the bench while guard Anna Trusty added 12. Forward Sinetra Jones tallied 10 points and eight boards, while both Browning and guard Zyniah Thomas each dished out five assists.

UAFS had a 30-22 advantage in points in the paint, but the Griffons had a 24-10 edge at the charity stripe.

The Lions finished the season with an 18-11 record their first year in the MIAA.