MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Christian Brothers had to overcome 13 lead changes and the score being tied seven times to knock off West Alabama 74-71 in Gulf South Conference Men's Basketball action at Canale Arena on Thursday.

Christian Brothers improves to 11-11 and 9-7 in GSC. West Alabama falls to 11-11 and 7-9.

Three Buccaneers posted double-digit scoring performances in the second half alone. Jeff Larkin tallied 25 points, 17 in the second half, while Adam Dieball and Drew Hildreth each added 11 points in the second. Dieball finished with 20 total points. Hildreth had a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Deontaye Ewing led the Tigers with the teams season high scoring performance of 32 points, including 23 in the second half. He finished 12-of-18 from the field, and 7-of-11 from behind the 3-point line.

"Every game this year has been like this in that it could have gone either way," said UWA head coach Allen Sharpe. "It can be frustrating, especially to the older guys, when the younger guys don't make the plays down the stretch. Inconsistency has really been the story of our year."

UWA led for nearly 16 minutes of the first half, building its largest lead to 13 points eight minutes into the game. The Buccaneers went on a 10 point run in the final two minutes to retake one last final lead of the half at 30-29 with 30 seconds left. However, Jahmal Lane would knot the game at 30-30 at half time with a made free throw in the final two seconds.

Six of the Tigers' 10 made field goals came from beyond the 3-point arc, as the Tigers shot 6-of-12 in the half. Ewing was 3-of-3 three-point field goals, to lead the team with nine points.

There were 11 lead changes in the second half, until a Jeff Larkin layup and free throw gave the Bucs the final lead with a minute left to play. CBU extended its lead at the free throw hitting its final four attempts to secure victory.

The Bucs combined to hit 27-of-52 from the field (52 percent) and 10-of-23 from the behind the arc (43 percent). UWA improved from 10-of-28 (35 percent) field goal shooting in the first half to 14-of-28 (50 percent) in the second half. The Tigers matched CBU's 3-point shooting by hitting 10-of-23 (43 percent) as well.

Jake Jobling finished with 10 points for UWA, making three of his eight field goals, including two 3-point field goals. The Tigers out-rebounded 33-29, led by Billy Ingram with eight.

"It doesn't matter who we're playing they are all going to be tough," Sharpe said. "Even the games we've won have been close. The toughest league is the one you're in."  

West Alabama men's hoops remain on the road to take on Union University in the second of a four game road swing on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. in Jackson, Tenn.