Lions’ defense superb in 69-53 win over Demons

NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball team won their fourth straight game holding Northwestern State to 35 percent shooting in route to a 69-53 win Saturday at Prather Coliseum.

The Lions (8-12, 4-3 Southland) were led by senior Marlain Veal with 21 points and six rebounds. The New Orleans, Louisiana native also shot 7-for-8 from the free throw line. Sophomore Brandon Gonzalez added 15 points on five three-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds. Von Julien had 10 points and six assists while Moses Greenwood had 10 points and five rebounds.

Freshman Ty Brewer, starting his second straight game for the injured Keith Charleston, scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Pape Diop added four points and five rebounds off the bench for the Lions.

With the Lions outrebounding the Demons 40-31, SLU is outrebounding opponents in Southland games 240-201.

The Demons (7-13, 2-5 Southland) got 11 points and 13 rebounds from first team preseason All-Southland selection Ishmael Lane. John Norvel added nine points and six rebounds. However, NSU shot just 18-for-52 for 35 percent.

Southeastern built a 40-26 lead at halftime when Julien banked a three-pointer in at the first half buzzer. SLU drilled seven three-pointers in the first half.

Northwestern State battled back opening the second half on a 9-0 run. Greenwood and Julien stopped the bleeding scoring five straight points to give the Lions a 55-45 lead. NSU never got closer than seven as the Lions cruised to the win.

SLU shot 18-21 from the free throw line and forced the Demons into 16 turnovers leading to 20 points.

“Another good win,” said fifth-year SLU head basketball coach Jay Ladner. “But we still need to improve. We can’t have these lulls in the second half like we did in the first few minutes. But anytime you can go on the road and win in this league, you are doing something. So we will make the necessary improvements we need to make and then get ready for Sam Houston.”

The Lions are in the midst of a potential remarkable turnaround after losing eight straight games and six straight by a combined 15 points.

“After where we were at a month ago and losing all those close games,” said Ladner. “It’s great to see us being rewarded after going through a tough stretch. I think the key to all that was that even though the results weren’t there, we were still getting better even in the games we were losing. And our guys never hung their heads and continued to work despite the way things were going.”

SLU will return home Wednesday to face league-leading Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Southland Digital Network.

INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN BASKETBALL WITH JAY LADNER

Each Monday night at 7 p.m., beginning Jan. 7th, ‘Inside Southeastern Basketball with Jay Ladner’ broadcasts live on 90.9 KSLU from Rainbow Daiquiris at 14384 West Thomas Street. Talk college hoops with Coach Ladner and host Allen Waddell, cover the finer points of each game and preview upcoming games. If you can’t join the crowd, you can submit a question at www.LionSports.net for the “Ask the Coach” segment. Inside Southeastern Basketball with Jay Ladner airs each Monday night during the Lions’ Southland Conference schedule on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network.

HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners. All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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