NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) -- Bryon Allen scored 21 points, including the last five of the game, as Northwestern State rallied to edge Stephen F. Austin 64-62 on Saturday.
Northwestern (17-11, 11-3 Southland Conference) got 15 points from Clifton Lee and sank 59 percent of its shots in the second half. Allen snagged nine rebounds and made two steals while hitting 8-of-12 shots from the floor.
Stephen F. Austin (12-13, 6-8) was led by Hank Rivers' 16 points and 12 rebounds. Josh Porter scored 11 and Anthony Paez added 10.
SFA overcame an early 12-5 deficit and built a 33-24 lead late in the first half. SFA led 38-30 early in the second half but was unable to widen the gap.
Northwestern took its first second-half lead, 50-49, with 8:53 to go on a layup by Colby Bargeman. The Demons went on top for good with 3:43 left on a 3-pointer by Clifton Lee that made it 57-55.
Lee scored on NSU's next possession on a short jumper for a four-point lead, but SFA's Porter answered with a 3-pointer.
Allen started his burst of five straight points on the next possession, driving for a layup that put Northwestern up 61-58 with 2:13 left.
A pair of Marcus Clark free throws brought the Lumberjacks back to within 61-60, but Allen tipped in a missed jumper by Wallace with 1:29 to go for a 63-60 edge.
