FLORENCE – Daviel Clements’ layup with 24 seconds remaining gave North Alabama a one-point lead and the Lions forced two turnovers and hit 3-of-4 free throws the rest of the way to hold on for a 91-87 victory over Harding Monday evening at Flowers Hall. Clements, a junior from Jessup, Ga., had 29 points to lead all scorers on the night as UNA climbed back above the .500 mark for the season at 6-5. With the loss, Harding falls to 6-4 on the year.

North Alabama took a 53-38 lead at the half before the Bisons rallied. Harding opened the second half with a 29-13 run to grab a 67-66 lead with 9:43 remaining. From there, neither team led by more than four until the closing seconds.

A pair of free throws by Harding’s Bradley Spencer gave the Bisons an 83-81 lead at the two minute mark. After the two teams traded possessions without scoring, Rory Miller connected on a three-point shot from the corner to put the Lions on top by one with 1:10 remaining. Harding quickly responded with a layup by Kevin Brown before Clements’ shot in the final minute gave UNA the lead for good.

Miller finished the game 8-of-12 from the floor with a pair of three-pointers to finish with 23 points. Jared Strode also reached double digits in scoring with 16 points while Brett Jackson had a solid night with seven points and team-highs in rebounds (8) and blocks (4).

The Bisons had five players in double digits in scoring, led by Brown’s 20 points.

UNA will hit the road for its next two outings against more teams from the Gulf South Conference West Division. The Lions will play at Arkansas-Monticello next Saturday, Jan. 2, before traveling to Southern Arkansas on Monday, Jan. 4.