There has been a lot of adversity to overcome for the Sul Ross State men's basketball team.

With star player Julian Paredes sidelined with an injury, other players have had to rise up and do their part.

Behind 30 points from Trey Nelson, the Lobos took down the University of the Ozarks Eagles, 83-78, on Saturday evening at the Pete P. Gallego Center.

Sul Ross avenged a three-point loss suffered to the Eagles on the road back on Dec. 1.

The dream stays alive as the Lobos are still in the hunt to make the top six in the American Southwest Conference in order to make it to the postseason.

"That was a much-needed win. Our guys have been very good this second semester by playing simple and finding the open man," said Sul Ross head coach Xavier Webb. "Trey had a very good game. Luke (Pluymen) was very efficient as well for us."

Sul Ross got off to a hot start by going on an 8-0 run fueled by a layup from Larry Morrison and two 3-pointers by Nelson and Luke Pluymen.

The Eagles then knocked down a three to chisel the deficit down to one. Pluymen later gave the Lobos a three-point lead with a shot in the paint.

It was a nail-biter as the score endured six lead changes from that point on.

Caelyb Kerley made a clutch lead to put Sul Ross behind by one. Nelson then gave his team the lead on a fast break jumper with 12:38 on the clock.

Each team was fighting for the lead as the Ozarks went back ahead by one and then Hayden Peterson hit a three-pointer to give the Lobos the lead back.

The Eagles fired off a three-pointer to take a one-point lead before Nelson made two free throws to switch the score giving Sul Ross a one-point advantage.

With the suspense surmounting, the Eagles got another three-pointer to gain a two-point lead with 10:06 to go.

Nelson then went to the line after a flop warning, which helped cut the deficit to one.

The Ozarks later surged ahead to take a five-point lead with 8:10 on the clock.

Sul Ross retaliated by going on a 7-0 run highlighted by two shots in the paint from Christian Nevarez and Daveone Bass.

Kerley then knocked down the go-ahead three-pointer, which put Sul Ross on top by two with 6:35 to go.

Pluymen extended the Lobo lead to five by making a clutch three.

The Eagles answered back with a three of their own to cut the deficit to two. Pluymen kept up the hot hand by landing another shot from beyond the arc.

Gabe Sanchez gave Sul Ross a layup to close out the first half, putting the Lobos ahead by five.

There were two lead changes to start the second half. The Lobos broke a 45-45 tie with a jumper by Nevarez before the Eagles answered with another three to take a one-point lead.

Nevarez then came into the clutch with a huge three. Vince Peralez later made a layup to put Sul Ross up by four.

The game went through five different lead changes before the Lobos pulled away with an 8-0 run. Bass and Nelson landed a pair of big three-pointers during the momentum-changing run.

Down the stretch the score was tied twice.

Pluymen came into the clutch once again with another three-pointer to start a 5-0 run that also included a layup by Nevarez with 2:55 to go with the game.

The Ozarks fouled in desperation to stay in the game, but he Lobos prevailed.

During the second half, the Lobos were resilient on defense. The credit goes to assistant coach Jake Lopez for drawing up a solid game plan.

Nelson also had seven rebounds and six assists. This was the second time this season where he's scored 30 or more points in a game.

"We fought as a team. Hard work does pay off. Picking up this win, getting us rolling — feels great," Nelson said. "I was trying to make winning plays, do the right thing. When everyone's working and moving it makes it a lot easier."

Pluymen added with 18 points and three assists while he made four 3-pointers. Nevarez finished with nine points.

The Lobos went 9 for 9 from the free throw line as Nelson made all of the shots.

Sul Ross made 12 three-pointers while tallying 25 assists and 33 rebounds. All in all, the game featured 22 lead changes while the score was tied seven times.

>> RECORDS: Sul Ross (6-12, 3-8); University of the Ozarks (7-11, 2-9)

>> UP NEXT: The Lobos host Hardin-Simmons at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.