After losing two road games at Emporia State and at 10th-ranked Washburn University, the Lions returned home and turned up the heat by defeating the University of Missouri-Rolla 85-77 in over time in front of 1,700 fans.

The Lions 12-6, 5-4 in the MIAA, were 28-68 from the floor, 6-19 three-pointers and had 56 rebounds. The Miners 10-8, 3-6 in the MIAA were 29-73 from the floor, 13-31 three-pointers, and had 34 rebounds.

Four Lions had double-doubles in points and rebounds.

Deon Rose, senior forward, had 13 rebounds and 12 points. Darrell Redmond, senior forward had 12 rebounds and 17 points.

Orestus Cavness, junior forward, had 10 rebounds and 11 points.

Hiram Ocasio had 10 boards and 11 points.

Ocasio gained two steals, which moves him 216 steals shy of breaking the record, not just for Southern but the NCAA Division II record as well.

He also had a dunk at 4:16 in the first half to bring the score to 23-29.

“We had four with double-doubles, and several guys stood out for us,” said Robert Corn, men’s basketball head coach.

Ameer Watts averages 16.5 points per game.

He was 7-15 from the floor, 3-5 three -pointers, five boards and 20 points.

He was also instrumental in getting the game into overtime.

Watts was fouled with 1.1 seconds left in regulation and hit one out of two free throws.

“We came out kind of dead, slow in the start,” Watts said.

“That kept them (the Miners) in the game. Once we got into overtime, we knew we could win. We had home court and intensity.”

Southern outscored Rolla 13-5 in overtime; the score was tied nine times with eight lead changes.

“Any win is a good win this time of the year,” Corn said. “Rolla gave us a lot of problems.”

Up next for the Lions is Truman State University, 3 p.m. Saturday at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.