Southern (8-3, 2-0 MIAA) moves into a first-place tie atop the MIAA after Southwest Baptist defeated Emporia State at home tonight.

The Lions led 4-3 at the 17:24 mark of the first half after a jumper from Octavius Hawkins, but a layup from the Griffons' (6-4, 1-1 MIAA) Ken Goodwin gave Western the lead and they would hold it the entire half, going into the locker room up 35-34.

Southern tied the game at 37 apiece on a free throw from TJ Britton, but wouldn't take the lead until 9:18 mark of the second half when a pair of Tony Webb free-throws put the Lions up 53-51. The lead grew to as much as eight after an alley oop dunk from Webb to Britton. The two would hook up for another spectacular play just a minute and a half later as the Lions led for the final nine mutes of the game.

Ateba went 7-14 from the field and 6-9 from the free throw line for 20 points and ten rebounds. Hawkins and Webb added 18 and 16, respectively, while Britton scored 13 and pulled down 12 rebounds.

The Griffons shot 48 percent from the field, but Southern forced 28 Western turnovers and stole the ball 12 times, scoring 34 points off of miscues.

Southern now sits atop the MIAA in a tie for first place with Southwest Baptist. The Lions will now stay at home and play host to Pittsburg State on Wednesday, January 9 at 7:30 pm.