UTPB Women's Bsketball struggled to hold on to the ball Saturday afternoon, dropping a 77-55 road Heartland Conference game at UA Fort Smith at the Stubblefield Center in Fort Smith, Ark.

The Falcons committed 25 turnovers on the night, 11 more than the host Lions who turned over possession 14 times.

Trailing 38-27, UT-Permian Basin looked to get back into the game by outscoring UAFS 20-15 in the third quarter, but the Lions put it away with a 24-8 fourth quarter in the 22-point win.

Jau'nae Peevy led the Falcons on offense on the day, hitting 6-8 from the field along with her lone three point attempt for 17 points. Niniva Taito added 13 points while Khadijah Vigil added eight points and eight rebounds.

Ashley Bean paced the Lions with 16 points as one of three UAFS players to end the game in double figures.

The Falcons return home for the first time in 2016 next week, taking on St. Edward's at 5:30 Thursday, January 6.