LAFAYETTE, La. -- Elfrid Payton scored 22 points and Bryant Mbamalu 19 as Louisiana-Lafayette took control after halftime for an 85-67 come-from-behind victory over Arkansas State on Saturday night.

Mbamalu scored seven points -- on two layups and a 3-pointer -- in a 15-0 run that vaulted Louisiana-Lafayette (17-9, 8-5 Sun Belt) into the lead in the final 17 minutes. Arkansas State went dry for nearly 4 minutes and didn't get closer than eight afterward.

Arkansas State (14-9, 7-5) led by as many as 11 twice, and saw a four-game win streak end. The win gives Lafayette sole possession of third place in conference.

The Ragin' Cajuns Shawn Long scored 16 points with 11 rebounds. His layup with 15 seconds left boosted him to 1,001 career points, the fifth sophomore to reach that plateau. Lafayette owned a 40-23 rebounding edge.

Kendrick Washington and Melvin Johnson III scored 19 each for the Red Wolves.