SOUTHAVEN, Miss., – After watching a 16-point second-half lead slip away, the University of North Alabama men’s basketball team was able to hold off Delta State for a 93-89 victory Friday at the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Southaven, Miss. The Lions were able to score 41 points off 28 DSU turnovers and connect on 26-of-37 free throw attempts to advance to the semi-final round Saturday against Alabama-Huntsville. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the DeSoto Civic Center.

“I thought we made just enough plays that we had to in order to win the game,” said UNA head coach Bobby Champagne. “We played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm tonight and were able to come away with a close win that had been eluding us this season.”

North Alabama was able to advance, despite being out-rebounded 49-29 in the game. Delta State was able to grab 21 offensive boards and recorded 19 second-chance points. The Statesmen, however, went 19-of-36 from the free throw line.

Rory Miller came up with a big steal and hit two free throws in the final five seconds to help the Lions (13-15) secure the win. The junior from Jesup, Ga., finished the game with 26 points on the night. With the loss, Delta State falls to 19-8 on the season.

The Lions took control in the closing minutes of the first half and took a 12-point lead at the break. After trailing 30-29 early in the game, UNA closed the half on a 22-9 run to take a 51-39 lead into the locker room. Daviel Clements scored the team’s final 10 points as the Lions shot 32 percent from three-point range in the first half.

Two quick baskets by Jared Strode put UNA ahead 55-39 early in the second half. The lead, however, would not hold up as the Statesmen chipped away at the deficit over the next 13 minutes of play. A dunk by Roderick Ollie put DSU on top 75-74 with 6:00 remaining.

From that point, the game featured four more ties and three more lead changes. After a Delta State layup tied the game at 89-89 with 11 seconds remaining, Jacobe Shannon hit one of two free throws to give the Lions a one-point lead.

UNA got a key turnover on the next possession as Shannon picked up a steal after Brett Jackson tipped the ball away from DSU’s Eric Spencer. The Statesmen, however, had one last chance after Shannon again hit one of two free throws to make the score 91-89 with five seconds remaining.

Miller put the game out of reach for the Lions, intercepting the inbounds pass at half court and hitting two free throws after being fouled.

Clements led the way for UNA with 27 points. Strode added 21 points on the night while Shannon also reached double digits with 12 points for the Lions.