BATESVILLE, Arkansas - Israel Palmer scored 23 points to lead the Lyon College Scots past the Spalding University Golden Eagles 74-70 on Saturday afternoon to cause a tie atop the SLIAC standings.

Lyon College (14-8 and 11-5) got 12 points from Trenton Bell, who became a 1,000 point member for Lyon College men's basketball, had 12points, Nikola SaSaroga, honored on Senior Day, scored 10 points. Malik Madison had eight points, Frank Toney hit for seven points, Jones White came in for six points, John Paul Morgan and Kylon McCullough had three points each and David Baffour came in to get a basket for the Scots. And John Michael Stastny made his first start of the season and garnered one rebound on his Senior Day.

The Scots trailed 35-32 at halftime.

Spalding led 5-0 before Palmer made two free throws. McCullough made a three-pointer and Toney hit a basket, then SaSaroga scored to tie the game at 9-9 with 16:04 to go. Palmer and SaSarogra put in baskets, then Toney knocked down a jumper to put Lyon ahead 15-14. Palmer followed with a basket and scored again to keep the Scots in front by a basket. Bell made at three-pointer, SaSaroga made one of two from the free throw line and Palmer made another jump shot for a 25-24 lead at the 4:51 mark. 
White came in to hit a three-pointer, but Spalding tied the game, then Palmer scored and, again, Spalding tied the game. The Golden Eagles took the lead and held on to it by halftime, 35-32.

Madison scored in the paint to start the second half for the Scots, but Spalding managed to lead by eight points in the first three minutes of the period, 42-34. Palmer made two free throws, SaSaroga put in another basket and Palmer made two more free throws, then put in a layup off a fast-break to tie the game at 42-42 with 14:55 to go.
Toney threw up a pass to Madison for a dunk. Madison added two free throws and Bell scored with 12:56 to play in the game. 
Bell scored again on a jump shot and put in a layup for a 52-48 lead at the 11:03 mark for his 1000th point. 
Bell added a free throw, White made a three-pointer, then SaSaroga and Madison scored inside, but Spalding was able to come back and take a 62-60 lead with 6:28 to go. Morgan made a free throw, then put in a layup off a fast-break. SaSaroga made one of two from the line and Palmer put in a layup with 2:51 to go to put the Scots back in front 66-64.
Bell made a layup and Palmer hit a three-pointer just before the shot clock buzzer to make it 71-64 with 41 seconds to go. Toney sank four free throws in the final 18 seconds to seal the win for the Scots.

Lyon College is not in a four-way tie for the conference lead with Fontbonne, Greenville and now Spalding all at 11-5.