Lawson State used a big run in the second half to takeover a close game and outlast Bevill State 66-56 Thursday night.
 
The entirety of the game was a battle of defensive intensity and for a good portion of the contest, it was Bevill State that controlled the pace. The Bears led by five points at halftime and when Maurice Johnson knocked down a jumper with just more than eight minutes remaining, Lawson State trailed 48-42.
 
But for the next four-and-a-half minutes, it was the Cougars who turned the screws on the defensive end. The Bears did not score from the field over that stretch while Lawson State went to work on the offensive end. A rebound and put-back by Omari Peek-Green gave the Cougars the lead for good and a 3-ball from Markel Aune gave Lawson State a four-point advantage. Two free throws from Kyin Healey capped a 15-1 run and the Cougars led 57-49 with 3:43 to go.
 
Bevill State had some opportunities to stay close. But miss after miss from the charity stripe stalled it's effort while Lawson State made 12-of-15 free throws over the last four minutes to seal the victory.
 
CJ Beckham scored a game-high 19 points to lead Bevill State. Aune and Demetrius Davis each scored 12 points and Peek-Green added 11 with 12 rebounds for Lawson State, which plays at Shelton State on Monday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.