COLUMBUS, Mississippi - Israel Palmer scored 28 points to lead the Lyon College Scots past the Mississippi University for Women Owls 66-62 in SLIAC action in Columbus, Mississippi on Tuesday night.

The Scots (11-5, 8-2) is in a first place tie with Greenville for the SLIAC lead. Lyon College led 41-30 after the first half and held off a late charge by the Owls in the final three minutes.
Nikola SaSaroga had 13 points, while John Paul Morgan, Jaaron Harriott and Trenton Bell all had six points each. Kylon McCullough had three points, while Madison Malik and Jones White had two points each in the win.

Palmer hit a three-pointer and added a free throw for a quick 4-0 lead for Lyon College. Palmer scored again and added another basket a few minutes later to cut the MUW lead to 12-8. SaSaroga scored, but the Owls led 17-10 before Madison scored in the paint. Palmer put in a jumper Harriott scored and Palmer added two free throws. Morgan scored inside and Palmer made two more free throws to tie the game at 22-22 at the 7:37 mark. McCullough added a free throw for the lead. SaSaroga put in a layup and Palmer made a three-pointer to put the Scots up 28-22. SaSarogra made a free throw and put in a layup, then SaSaroga stepped out for a three-pointer and Bell made two three-pointers in a row to make it a 41-30 lead for the Scots.

SaSaroga put in a layup and a Palmer a free throw to keep the Scots lead at nine points early in the second half. Harriott scored and Palmer put in two baskets for a 50-39 lead. Morgan put in a basket inside, but MUW came back to cut the Scots lead to two points, 52-50 at the 8:38 mark. Palmer and Harriott scored for Lyon , then Morgan scored inside and White had an offensive rebound basket for a 60-56 lead with 4:41 to go.
MUW closed the gap to two points twice, but each time Palmer scored a basket to push the lead back to four points. McCullough had a short jumper in the lane with 16 seconds left to put the Scots up by four points. SaSaroga made a steal, but a turnover allowed the Owls one last shot that missed at the buzzer.

Lyon College will host Fontbonne on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. and play at home on Saturday at 1 p.m.