READING, Pa. -- Freshman DeJuan Smith scored a career-high 20 points leading five players in double-figure scoring as Albright defeated Lebanon Valley 78-72 in Commonwealth Conference action on Saturday in the Bollman Center.

Smith was 8-of-9 shooting from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line helping the Lions snap a two-game losing skid. He also added five steals and three rebounds. He is averaging 17.5 points per game in his last two games after scoring a then career-high 15 points in the Lions last contest at Widener.

Evan Ward notched his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Josh Marquez also added 14 points. Thomas Vazzana and Omari Ringgold each scored 11 points for Albright.

Albright, which improved to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the Commonwealth, shot 51.9 percent from the floor, which marks the second-best shooting performance of the season for the Lions. Albright shot 55.6 percent from the field in its victory over Penn State-Harrisburg.

Lebanon Valley, which dropped to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play, received a brilliant performance from guard Kevin Agnew who poured in 42 points on 15-of-24 shooting from the floor. The Dutchmen also got 22 points from Andy Orr.

Albright, which led at the half 37-31, opened the second half on an 8-2 run giving the Lions their largest lead of the game at 45-33 with 15:58 to play in the game.

Lebanon Valley mounted a comeback to eventually tie the game.

With Albright leading 52-43 with 12:36 left in the contest, the Dutchmen reeled off a 14-5 run to tie the game at 57-57 with 7:29 left in the second half.

Marquez put the Lions back in front with a free throw and back-to-back baskets by Smith and Vazzana gave Albright a 62-57 lead with 5:31 remaining in the half.

A three-point play by Orr trimmed the lead to 62-60, but Ringgold scored inside to push the lead back to 64-60 with 4:08 left.

After a pair of free throws by Agnew cut the margin to 64-62, Albright responded with an 11-4 run sparked by Smith. Three consecutive steals by Smith, which led to two layups and two free throws, upped the Lion lead to 75-66 with 37 seconds remaining in the contest.

Agnew made a pair of three-pointers, but Albright made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 24 seconds to close out the game.

Albright shot 52.0 percent from the floor in the first half on its way to taking a lead into the intermission.

Lebanon Valley took its only lead of the game at 30-29 on a three-pointer by Orr with 3:50 remaining in the first half, but Albright closed the half on an 8-1 run to take a seven-point lead at the break.

Albright will have a week off before returning to action on Dec. 13 when it visits Franklin & Marshall for a 3 p.m. contest in Lancaster, Pa.