The Lions increased their winning streak to seven games while holding on for a 97-89 victory over Delta State University.

After a slow start, UNA caught fire and shot 60 percent from the field and 68.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Wes Long was five for seven from the three-point range in the first half and led all scorers going into halftime with 15 points.

“Wes hit some big shots for us,” said head coach Bobby Champagne. “He got hot and everything seemed to be going in (the basket).”

The Lions 20-point halftime lead did not last long as Delta State started the second half on a 26-10 run, which cut the lead to four.

“You get nervous when you look up and you have a 15-point lead, then it’s seven, then it’s four, and you know you’re playing a quality team,” Champagne said.

Delta State’s Willie Readus got what proved to be a costly technical foul with 7:30 seconds left in regulation.

Nathan Spehr hit both free throws assessed from the foul and started a 9-0 run by the Lions.

“Readus has a lot to say,” Spehr said. “He’s very good, but if you keep your composure with him, he tends to make mistakes.”

The Statesman were not able to cut the lead to under five points again.

The Lions sunk 11 out of 12 free throws down the stretch to preserve an eight-point victory.

“This is a good league with a lot of good teams,” Champagne said. “You have to play 40 minutes or it’s hard to win games.”

The Lions will look to extend their winning streak when they host Christian Brothers University Saturday, Feb. 22 at Flowers Hall.

“They’ve beat us here quite a few times in a row,” Champagne said. “It’s senior night and I hope our seniors can go out with a win.”

Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday.