FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball went toe-to-toe with No. 8 Fort Hays State Saturday at the Stubblefield Center, but was unable to pull off the upset, falling to the Tigers, 73-68.

The game was tied heading to the fourth quarter, but the Lions were held scoreless for the first 5:36 of the final stanza as the Tigers opened up a 61-54 lead.

UAFS continued to battle, pulling within 71-68 with 50 seconds left after a steal and layup by guard Haleigh Jackson. Jackson then got a block on the next possession but the Lions' game tying three came up short as the Tigers closed out the game at the line.

The Lions shot just 17.6 percent in the opening quarter but exploded for 26 points on 71/4 percent shooting in the second quarter as they took a 34-30 lead into halftime.

Fort Hays then used a 10-2 run late in the third quarter to take a 50-45 advantage but three triples for the Lions tied the game at 54-54 after three.

Jackson led the Lions with 20 points and six rebounds while guard Keytonna Ross added 14 points and three assists. Guard Senese Rainey was 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and finished with 11 points while guard Jordan Gregory added nine and guard Telisha Brown had eight points and five assists.

UAFS finished 9-for-22 from beyond the arc and had a 20-14 edge in points off turnovers.

The Lions will next visit Washburn February 12 at 5:30 p.m.