The men’s basketball team extended its eight-game winning streak last week with victories over No. 21 Delta State University and Christian Brothers University.

The seniors’ last game in Flowers Hall proved to be one to remember as a late basket by senior forward Bruce Adams with .8 seconds left in the game gave the Lions a 91-90 win over CBU on Saturday, Feb. 22.

During the final play, senior Marquel Darrington lobbed the ball up to Adams on an inbounds play, where Adams hit the go ahead lay-up for the win.

“Coach (Bobby Champagne) told me I was going to make a big play, and I believed him,” said Adams. “I knew the game was not over till the clock hit 00:00.”

The Lions were down by four until senior Rashaun Claiborne hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds left to pull the team within one. The Lions and Bucs traded free throws to leave the Lions down 90-89. Junior guard Devin McNeal forced a Bucs turnover to give the Lions a shot at the win with 7.6 seconds left.

“Our seniors made big plays for us,” said head coach Bobby Champagne. “It would’ve been a heartbreaking loss for our guys, as hard as they fought tonight.”

All five seniors started the game and made big plays down the stretch to improve the Lions record to 18-8 and 12-6 within the Gulf South Conference.

“We’ve all worked hard all year,” said McNeal. “It was big to send the seniors out with a win.”

Claiborne led the Lions with 26 points and nine rebounds. Adams finished with 17 points and Darrington added 13 points for UNA.

The Lions held on to defeat Delta State 97-89 Thursday, Feb. 20 after leading by 20 points at halftime.

The Statesmen climbed back to get within four points when junior guard Nathan Spehr hit a three-pointer to push the lead to seven. Delta State was not able to bring it any closer during the game.

The Lions will travel to play their final two games against rivals University of West Alabama and University of Alabama-Huntsville before the conference tournament begins.

“It’s going to be tough but we’re going to be locked in to beat West Alabama and UAH,” Adams said.

The Lions lost the previous meetings against both teams at home in late January. UNA lost by five points combined in both games.

Adams believes the team is much better now than earlier in the season, he said.

“We’ve been having better practices,” Adams said. “We’re more focused on winning each game and not looking ahead.”

The Lions have now moved into a tie with West Alabama for second place in the conference standings. UNA will play West Alabama Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and UAH Saturday, March 1 at 5 p.m.