The DBU Patriot Basketball Team fell to the Lions from Arkansas Fort Smith Saturday afternoon at the Burg Center. The 89-93 loss drops the Patriots to 9-8 overall, but they remain 1-3 in the Heartland Conference.

The fast paced game featured eight lead changes in the first half, but it was the visiting Lions who held a slight, five point advantage at the break. UAFS connected on 50 percent of their shots and drained seven three pointers in the first half alone, resulting in a 43-38 lead at the end of the first period.
The Lions opened up their first double-digit lead of the night just two minutes into the second half, thanks to a jumper from Josh Simmons that gave UAFS a 51-40 lead.

Still trailing 74-81 with just over four minutes left on the clock, Senior Braxton Adamson connected on a jumper to trim the Patriots deficit to five points. After a pair of free throws from Sophomore Nick Fox, Adamson stole the ball near midcourt and finished the play with a layup to pull DBU to within three, 80-83, with 3:09 left.

After a UAFS jumper the ensuing possession, Adamson went to work again as he drew the defense on a shot fake, and found Junior Jordan McGowen who drained his second three pointer of the night to pull the Patriots to within two with 2:36 left.

After a stop on the defensive end, the Patriots completed their double-digit comeback when a jump hook from Fox found the bottom of the net, knotting the game at 85 with just under two minutes to play.
Simmons, who finished the night 7-9 from behind the arc, gave UAFS the lead for good as he connected on back-to-back three pointers the next two possessions, building the Lion lead back to six with under a minute left on the clock.

After a three-pointer from Adamson that made it a three point game, Fox was fouled with under ten seconds left, sending the forward to the free throw line. After connecting on his first attempt, Fox was forced to miss the second attempt to give the Patriots a chance at the offensive rebound.

However, Fort Smith's Gavin Glanton secured the rebound, was fouled, and connected on his two free throw attempts with three seconds left to seal the four point win for the Lions.

Fox led the Patriots with 22 points and seven rebounds, while McGowen turned in a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Adamson and Junior T.J. Clark were the only other two Patriots in double figures with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

DBU will conclude their three game home stand on Monday as they welcome Texas A&M International to the Burg Center. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. against the Dust Devils.