Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern men's basketball program held on to a six-point halftime lead and the Lions defeated visiting Missouri Western 83-77 today on Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. 

Southern (15-9, 9-6 MIAA) also secured a bid to the MIAA Tournament for the 17th straight year. The Lions had four score in double-figures, led by 16 points and nine rebounds from Taevaunn Prince. He went 10-13 from the free throw line. Lane Barlow scored 16, dished out five assists and added five rebounds, while going 8-11 from the free throw line. Cameron Cornelius scored 15, while Greg Renfroe added 14. 

Western (10-12, 6-9 MIAA) had four score in double-figures, led by 17 from Cortez Colbert. 

A three from Austin Wright a little more than two minutes into the game, gave the Lions a 9-4 lead and a bucket from Renfroe less than a minute later gave the Lions an 11-5 advantage. Western stormed back and went on a quick 5-0 run to get within one with 16:40 left to go in the half.

The Griffons went ahead by one (14-13) after a layup from Aaron Emmanuel, but that would be the last time Western led in the half. Southern went up by 11 (47-36) after a three from Randy Clark with 2:26 to go and the Lions led by six at the break. 

Both teams traded the lead early in the second half, before the Lions took a six-point advantage (69-63) after a jumper from Clark with 8:55 to go in the game. Western led by two (73-71) with 4:29 to go, but the Lions took a two-point lead (75-73) on a jumper from Renfroe with 3:38 to go and led from then on out. Free throws from Prince and Charlie Brown down the stretch secured the win for the Lions. 

Southern shot 43 percent from the field and 55 percent from long range, while making 71 percent of its free throws. 

The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when the Lions play host to Southwest Baptist. Tip off from Robert Corn Court inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center is slated for 7:30 pm.