Coach Jim Yarbrough and his Lions returned home after losing on the road to both Nicholls and Central Arkansas to beat the Northwestern Demons 93-84 at the University Center Saturday night.

“Being home solves a lot of problems, but we got to figure out some things on the road,” said Yarbrough. “We’ve won 22 of our last 23 games here–but on the road that’s a whole different puzzle. We just got to stop being Jekyll and Hyde and figure out who we are and stay consistent.”

Northwestern, four hours from home, trailed behind the Lions the entire first half, keeping the game tied or following close behind with the Lions having a five-point lead.

David Ndoumba, the Lions center, took control of the jump ball to start the game and would end the game earning 14 rebounds, averaging 6.9 per game. Ndoumba would convert several offensive rebounds to points, giving the Lions an 11-9 lead with 15:19 remaining in the first half.

From then on, several Demon starters, including Will Pratt, William Mosley and Devon Baker, would help create points during the first half.

The demons saw their only lead of the night at the 7:30 marker of the first half, up 25-24. Devon Baker made a wide open three-pointer with five minutes remaining, but the Lions shortly answered back to take the lead, 31-30. After a back and forth conversion of points, the game was tied and the Lions call a timeout in order to regroup. Back on the court, Trent Hutchin scored two points and the Demons scrambled on offense. Ndoumba kept the momentum going with a layup allowing the Lions to head to the locker room in the lead, 40-36.

The game seemed to be a stalemate, but Lions guard Brandon Fortenberry was not slowing down, earning nine points in the second half.

“‘Just keep pushing through, keep pushing through’. That’s what coach is telling us during every timeout. ‘Take care of the ball, keep pushing through, make extra throws, the game will be over before you know it’,” said Fortenberry.

Time was running out for the Demons, but Will Pratt stayed aggressive, constantly attacking under the rim, earning several foul shots because of it. Yarbrough and the Lions coaching staff would move around the bench keeping its opponent from getting too comfortable.

“We try to keep fresh legs on them, try to rotate players and try to keep guys out of foul trouble, because guys like Will Pratt will get you in foul trouble in a hurry,” said Yarbrough.  

The Lions would steal momentum with 13 minutes left as Trent Hutchins and Gary Dixon worked together to create 26 points in the second half.

“I think it’s just me and Trent knowing each other. I used to play against him at a junior college,” said Dixon. “If I’m guarded pretty tight, I’m looking for Trent.”

The Lions saw their biggest lead of the night, up 60-46, with 10 minutes left in the game. Unlike their last home game against McNeese, the Lions did not slow down as their stamina seemed to rise at the fold of the second half.

“We practiced with a lot of energy this week so it kind of showed,” said Dixon.

Dixon and the rest of the Lions will return to the court in Beaumont, Texas, to take on Lamar, Wednesday.

“Some games we’ll play good, some we won’t. We got to get a win on Wednesday and on Saturday,” said Brandon Fortenberry about his team.