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FORT SMITH, Ark. – Arkansas-Fort Smith shot 56.1 percent from the field and dominated the inside as the Lions scored 42 points in the paint en route to a 91-78 win over The University of Texas of the Permian Basin men's basketball team. 
 
UTPB did have four players score in double-figures with Louis Crane leading the way with 18 points, hitting a career-high six three-pointers while dishing our four assists.  The Lions countered with a 21-point performance from Jake Toupal, while Kelson Stewart and Djordje Stojanovic added 17 and 16 respectively. 
 
As has been the problem with the Falcons all season, another slow start put UTPB in a hole it was unable to get out of.  Arkansas-Fort Smith jumped out to a 21-6 lead after the first six-and-a-half minutes.  A 19-6 run pulled the Falcons within two (27-25) with 6:44 to go in the first after Madison Turner knocked down one of his three three-pointers on the afternoon.  UTPB would come no closer the rest of the way as the Lions took a 40-30 halftime lead. The Falcons were unable to establish any kind of an inside presence as they scored just four points in the paint.  
 
Like the first half, UTPB was down by as many as 15 (47-32) with 16:40 to go, but managed to climb back out of a hole thanks to a 14-3 run to make it 50-46 with just under 13 minutes to play.  The momentum wouldn't last long as the Lions used a run of their own to regain their double-digit lead. 
 
The Lions inside presence also showed at the free throw line as they attempted 20 more freebies than the Falcons.  Fort Smith knocked down 20 of its free chances, while UTPB made the most of its few opportunities by hitting 7-of-9 from the line. 
 
The Falcons remain winless in Heartland Conference play and fell to 6-10 overall and 0-4 in league play.  They will return home to host Newman at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Falcon Dome.