The UNA men’s basketball team defeated the Lambuth University Eagles 93-85 Jan. 20 at Flowers Hall. UNA and Lambuth went back and forth with the lead, but the Lions created a wild swing in momentum in the last five minutes of the game to pick up the win.

The Lions are now 9-10 overall and 2-1 in Gulf South Conference play.

“The last five minutes of the game decided it, really,” said Head Coach Bobby Champagne. “I thought Lambuth outplayed us 15 minutes of the second half and we figured out a way to get enough offensive rebounds and get some big shots. Ricky Davison and Marcus Landry were huge for us, and Wes Long hit a big three. Those were huge for us.”

UNA was ahead 4-0 early in the match before Lambuth made its first basket. After that there were eight lead changes in the first half alone. The Lions were ahead by 10 with two minutes to go in the first half, but the Eagles managed to reduce the lead to eight at the break. UNA took a 50-42 lead into halftime.

The lead would change eight more times in the second half. The Eagles chipped away at the Lions lead before going ahead with 10 minutes to go in the game. Lambuth would maintain that lead until the final five minutes of the match. UNA went on a 13-5 run between the five and two minute marks, which saw them take an 85-81 lead with two minutes remaining in the game. After the final lead change the Lions’ crowd became intense while cheering loudly. UNA used this wild swing to pick up the win.

“It’s a little frustrating because we allowed ourselves to get backed up by not defending, which we talked about at the half,” said Champagne. “It’s good that we were able to battle back and get just enough stops and just enough baskets late. Early in the season we let a game like this slip away from us, so maybe we’re getting better.”

Five Lions players picked up double digits in points in the win. Junior center Marcus Landry led the team with 22 points. He went 9-9 from the field and missed two of six free throws. Senior guard Ricky Davison picked up 20 points while junior center Nick Luttrell and junior guard Beaumont Beasley totaled 14 points each. Freshman forward Wes Long scored 10 points in the contest.

The Lions hosted the University of West Georgia Wolves Jan. 22 at Flowers Hall.

“We kind of pat ourselves on the back tonight and forget about it and start working on tape late,” said Champagne after the win. “We have a four o’clock practice and we’ll go over some of their stuff. They’re a different team that’s a five-man motion and playing a lot more zone. It’s a big game for us that we have to figure out a way to win.”