UNA extended its home-game winning streak to 16 wins on Tuesday night, pulling past the Northwestern State Demons 87-83 in overtime.
The Lions, now 2-1 this season, grabbed a 14-1 lead early in the first half. NSU would fight back to gain a small lead for themselves less than a minute into the second. The lead would get passed back and forth between the teams for the rest of regulation, finishing the second half tied at 77.
Without star guard Kevin de Kovachich, who had already put up 14 points before fouling out, UNA brought in junior transfer Tank Washington to fill the gap. Washington guarded NSU’s leading scorer, Micah Thomas, heavily until Washington was screened off of Thomas, leading to a missed jumpshot for the Demons.
Washington recovered and snagged a critical block against NSU guard Chris Mubiru.
The block turned what would have been an otherwise wide-open layup into a game-changing play by Washington. Two made free throws from UNA senior forward Donte Bacchus would go on to cement the Lions’ victory.
With the win, the Lions have improved to 33-4 against non-conference opponents since Head Coach Tony Pujol took the reins.
The Lions put on an impressive rebounding effort, with Bacchus’ and forward Cornelious Williams’ 30 combined rebounds being more than NSU’s entire team. The two forwards would also combine for 44 points.
The Lions end a three-game home stand on Saturday against ETSU as part of the ASUN-SoCon scheduling alliance. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at CB&S Bank Arena.
