NEW ORLEANS -- Marlain Veal scored 23 points with three 3-pointers and a career-high six steals, and Southeastern Louisiana rallied late to beat New Orleans 63-58 on Thursday night to clinch a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament.

Davon Hayes scored 10 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer, and had three steals for the Lions (16-15, 9-9 Southland), who have their first winning season since 2010-11. The win denied New Orleans a full share of the regular season title.

Down 27-23 at halftime, the Lions took a 52-51 lead on Veal's layup with 3:25 left, trailed, then led 61-58 on Hayes' back-to-back 3s with 43 seconds left. The Privateers missed two 3-pointers in the remaining seconds while Veal sealed it with two free throws.

The Lions had 13 steals and made 13 of 18 free throws to the Privateers' 9 of 16.

Makur Puou scored 13 points for New Orleans (17-11, 12-5).