Box Score FORT SMITH, Ark. (Jan. 24, 2015) – During a recent run of three wins in four games, Oklahoma Christian made a living at the free-throw line, but that good fortune ended emphatically on Saturday afternoon at Arkansas-Fort Smith.

The Lady Eagles took just 12 free throws and made six and to make matters worse, shot just 25.4 percent from the field while being outrebounded 54-33. Considering those numbers, the final score at the Stubblefield Center – UAFS 70, OC 44 – was predictable.

"We weren't making shots and we didn't get to the line, and when we did get there we didn't hit them," OC coach Stephanie Findley said. "There's not a whole lot I can say positive about this game."

OC (6-11, 3-6 Heartland Conference) was coming off its first road win of the season, a nine-point decision at Rogers State on Thursday, and the Lady Eagles' fortunes seemed to be on the upswing after a rash of early season frustrations.

But the pendulum swung back on Saturday and if not for solid performances by senior center Makenzie Brown and junior guard Sydney Hill, the result might have been even worse. Brown scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting – hitting a pair of 3-pointers – while Hill, who missed Thursday's game due to illness, came off the bench to add 12 points in just 18 minutes.

"This was Makenzie's type of game," Findley said. "She likes to get in there and scrap and she did a good job. Sydney played well considering she hasn't practiced all week, but we couldn't play her for long stretches."

Both teams were sluggish early – the Lions didn't score their first points until the 16:23 mark of the first half, while OC didn't get on the board until the 15:55 mark.

A driving layup by Jasmine Hinton gave OC its only, brief, lead at 9-8 at the 10:55 mark. Brown, who had nine first-half points, hit two free throws to make it 11-8 midway through the half, but UAFS answered with a 13-2 run to seize control, with Candice Followwell and Jasmine Brainard hitting 3-pointers during that stretch.

UAFS (9-7, 7-2) led 32-17 at halftime. Three-pointers by Brown and Hill allowed OC to creep closer and the Lady Eagles pulled within 41-29 after a driving layup by Hill with 12:29 left.

On OC's next possession, Brown had a 3-point attempt spin around the rim and fall out, and on the ensuing fast break, Followwell swished a 3-pointer for the Lions. Instead of a single-digit deficit, the Lady Eagles suddenly were down 15. OC didn't record another basket until the 6:50 mark.

UAFS finished 21-of-32 from the free-throw line. Followwell led the Lions with 19 points, while 6-foot-3 Angi Ramey had 14 rebounds and three blocked shots to go with five points. The Lions recorded eight blocked shots.

The Lady Eagles will return home next week for two games – against St. Mary's (Texas) on Thursday and Texas A&M International on Saturday.