FORT SMITH, Ark. – After three strong periods the Hilltoppers were held to just seven fourth quarter points to fall 60-51 to Arkansas-Fort Smith in Heartland Conference action Thursday.
 
SEU forced the Lions into 18 turnovers and just 37.3% from the floor and 11.1% from three point range, but allowed 21 points from the free throw line while earning only 13.
 
The Hilltoppers took their largest lead of the game, seven points, four minutes into the first quarter to lead 12-5, but the Lions clawed their way back within one, 18-17, heading into the second.
 
It was tight the entire second quarter and early into the third until UAFS went on a 6-0 run midway through the third to go up by nine, 42-33, with 4:39 to go in the frame. SEU closed the gap to seven, 51-44, as the game rolled into the fourth quarter.
 
St. Edward's was not able to put together the run they needed, going scoreless in the final four and a half minutes of the game to suffer the loss.
 
MARYAM WILCHER led SEU with 14 points while ISABEL HERNANDEZ added nine.
 
The Hilltoppers drop to 9-8 on the season, 1-2 in Heartland Conference play. They remain on the road to face Rogers State on Saturday at 1 pm.