JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – Liberty won its third consecutive ASUN Conference Men's Basketball Championship by holding off North Alabama 79-75 on Sunday. With the loss, UNA ends its third season at the Division I level with a 13-11 record, eclipsing the .500 mark for the first time since making the move in the 2018-19 season.

In the championship game at UNF Arena, the Lions erased a double-digit deficit in the second half to grab a late lead. A three-point basket by Mervin James put the Lions ahead 70-69 with 4:23 to play.

The Flames responded with a three-point basket on the ensuing possession, then added a runner after a defensive stop top grab a four-point lead at the 3:04 mark. UNA got a basket by Payton Youngblood, but another Liberty three-pointer made the score 77-72 in the final minute of play.

C.J. Brim connected from three-point range with 13 seconds remaining and the Lions fouled immediately. Liberty's Chris Parker, however, hit both free throws and UNA was unable to score as time expired.

Liberty led by double digits throughout much of the game. The Flames shot 45.7 percent from the floor in the first half and took a 41-31 lead into the break. The largest lead was 12 points, when a trey gave the Flames a 52-40 lead with 15:41 remaining.

UNA slowly chipped away at the deficit and began to make its move midway through the second half.

The Lions trailed 60-52 with 10:06 remaining when a three-pointer by Brim started a 10-2 run. Youngblood added a basket and free throw to complete a three-point play and the Lions also got baskets from James and Isaac Chatman to tie the score at 62-62 at the 8:03 mark.

After Liberty regained the lead, the Lions tied the score three more times before the three-pointer by James gave UNA its first lead of the game.

James finished with 16 points to lead North Alabama. He was joined on the all-tournament team by Youngblood, who tossed in 14 points on the day. Brim finished with 15 points while Jamari Blackmon rounded out the top scorers for the Lions with 11 points.

Darius McGhee led all scorers with 21 points for Liberty (23-5). He was named tournament MVP.