FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The University of West Alabama Men's Basketball team came from behind to defeat Black Hills State University 71-67 to finish second in the 2014 Alaska Invitational at Patty Gymnasium Saturday. Lleon Tillman and Justin Wright earned All-Tournament team honors.

West Alabama finishes the tournament 2-1 and improves to 2-3 overall. Black Hills State finishes the invitational 0-3; 1-3 overall.

The Tigers trailed for 35 consecutive minutes before Terrance Carroll hit two free throw shots in the final 15 seconds of regulation to tie the game at 65-65.

UWA took its first lead since the opening four minutes of the game at 69-67 with 2:48 left to play in overtime. The Tiger defense stood tall in extra minutes, holding the Yellow Jackets to 0-for-6 from the field.

BHSU took a 30-25 halftime lead, shooting 6-for-11 from the3-point arc. UWA gained more looks from the field hitting 9-for-25 in the first half, while the Yellow Jackets were 10-for-23. The Tigers improved to 13-for-26 in the second half, while overcoming Black Hills' 63 percent second half shooting (14-for-22).

"It was like we couldn't catch them for the longest time," said UWA Head Coach Allen Sharpe. "We would score, but they kept responding with big time shots. We were able to attack a bit more down the stretch, and Terrance really helped us with two big time free throws at the end to tie it."

Lleon Tillman matched his career best of 23 points on his way to a second double-double this season. He totaled 11 of UWA's 37 rebounds with five on offense.

Kenric McCants hit five of his six attempts, including two 3-point field goals, in the second half to tally all 13 of his points. Deontaye Ewing added 10 points in the second half to end with 11 total.

The Tiger defense continued to improve, forcing the second most turnovers this season of 12 and falling short of just one in their last win over Alaska Fairbanks on Friday.

Myles Henry led Black Hills with 12 points in the second half to finish with 15 total. Henry ended 3-for-5 from the 3-point line and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Yoshio followed with 10 points, shooting 5-for-8 from the field.  

Tillman finished the tournament with 41 points and 30 boards through three games. Justin Wright totaled 40 points and 18 rebounds.

West Alabama Men's Hoops will get a six day break before rounding out a six game road stretch against Southern Intercollegiate Conference member, Lemoyne-Owen College Saturday at 4 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn.

"We need to take some time to recover from this trip, but this win really makes a 10 hour plane ride much better," Sharpe said.