(Interstat) — The Lawson State Cougars defeated the Northeast Mississippi Tigers 84-69 in a men’s junior college basketball game Friday. The host Cougars used a strong second half to pull away after leading 52-42 at halftime. Lawson State improved its season record to 3-5, while Northeast Mississippi fell to 4-4. The result avenged a loss to the Tigers earlier this season. Keaton Cross led a balanced Lawson State attack. Tayler Berryhill was the top performer for Northeast Mississippi. Both teams struggled with shooting efficiency throughout the contest.