FLORENCE, Ala. (Interstat) — Camren Hunter scored 28 points and Central Arkansas used a dominant second-half defensive performance to erase an eight-point halftime deficit and defeat North Alabama 72-65 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Flowers Hall.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for the Bears over the Lions, following an 81-60 win in Conway just five days prior, and improved Central Arkansas to 15-10 overall. North Alabama fell to 7-16.

The game turned decisively in the final 20 minutes. After trailing 37-29 at the break, Central Arkansas tightened its defense, forcing North Alabama into a series of costly turnovers and contested shots. The Lions, who shot efficiently in the first half, managed only 28 points after intermission, shooting 1 for 8 from three-point range and committing nine turnovers against an active Bears defense that finished with 10 steals.

Hunter, the conference’s leading scorer who entered the game averaging over 30 points in his last four outings, was the catalyst for the comeback. After a quiet first half, he ignited in the second, scoring 20 of his game-high 28 points. His driving layup with 15:47 remaining gave the Bears their first lead since the opening minutes at 45-43, part of a 16-6 run to start the half. He later drilled a critical three-pointer with 4:02 left to push the lead to 67-64, and sealed the game by making six consecutive free throws in the final 2:33.

The most important sequence of the game occurred during a nearly five-minute North Alabama scoring drought late in the second half. After a Dallas Howell tip-in brought the Lions within 64-62 with 4:19 remaining, the Bears’ defense locked down. North Alabama committed a shot clock violation, an offensive foul, and missed a three-pointer on its next three possessions. Meanwhile, Hunter’s three and his ensuing free throws allowed Central Arkansas to build a 70-64 cushion with just over a minute to play, a margin the Lions could not overcome.

Donte Bacchus led North Alabama with 17 points, while Braylon Patton added 12. The Lions were hurt by 16 total turnovers, which the Bears converted into 19 points. Central Arkansas also won the battle at the free-throw line, making 17 of 23 attempts compared to North Alabama’s 17 of 23, with Hunter accounting for 10 of those makes.

Cole McCormick provided key support for Central Arkansas with 10 points, while Luke Moore facilitated the offense with four assists. For North Alabama, Corneilous Williams contributed five points, three assists and two blocks, anchoring the defense.

Despite being outshot from the field — North Alabama finished at 47.8% to Central Arkansas’ 44.2% — the Bears leveraged their defensive pressure and efficiency at the charity stripe to secure the road victory. Central Arkansas also held a slight edge in offensive rebounds, 8-6, generating 11 second-chance points.

The announced attendance at Flowers Hall was 2,202.

Central Arkansas, which has now won five of its last six games, will look to continue its momentum when it hosts Bellarmine on Thursday. North Alabama aims to regroup at home against West Georgia on Wednesday.