Ryan Willen scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half as Lafayette held off St. Francis (Pa.) 84-81 on Monday night.
The Leopards (1-1) led 40-32 at halftime, before being outscored 49-44 in the second.
St. Francis (0-2), which hadn't led since the 16:05 mark in the first half, got back on top, 47-46, on Scott Eatherton's layup with 13:57 to play.
The Leopards retook the lead, but St. Francis wouldn't go away, pulling within one, 82-81, on Eatherton's layup with 13 seconds left. The Red Flash immediately fouled Les Smith, who made both free throws for the final margin.
St. Francis' Anthony Ervin missed a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left, but the Red Flash got the ball back, and Stephon Whyatt missed the desperation 3 with 1 second left.
Jim Mower also had 22 points for the Leopards.
Eatherton led the Red Flash with 20 points.
