No. 3 Southeastern’s potent offensive display overpowers No 7. Nicholls in SLC women’s second round

LAKE CHARLES, La. – Third-seeded Southeastern sparked the nets with an impressive scoring display Tuesday afternoon, running away from seventh-seeded Nicholls 75-57 in the second round of the 2024 Jersey Mike’s Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Championship presented by Explore Louisiana.

The Lions (19-11) secure their third straight win in the SLC Tournament dating back to their championship run last season. They face second-seeded A&M Corpus Christi in Wednesday’s semifinal round.

The Colonels end their campaign with a 14-18 record.

Kennedy Paul shined for Southeastern off the bench, tallying a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds while Allasia Washington scored 16 points on four-of-six from three. Taylor Bell added 14 points on a seven-of-12 mark.

Lexi Hamilton finished with 14 points and seven rebounds for Nicholls and Mikayla Etienne had 11 points on four-of-13 from the field.

Nicholls fell into an early deficit but countered with a 13-2 run, taking a 13-7 lead at 3:59 after a Kyla Hamilton jumper.

Southeastern unveiled its championship pedigree and the Lions roared back on a 14-0 run to end the first quarter. Both teams shot over 50% in the opening 10 minutes.

Etienne and the Colonels settled in the second. The Nicholls guard brought the seven seed within four at 30-26 at 4:52 with a three-pointer, her third of the half.

The Lions shot 6-of-12 from the field in the second quarter, possessing a 36-30 lead at halftime.

Southeastern widened its lead in the third quarter with a 25-point eruption. The three seed replicated its clip from the second while pouring in 11 free throws.

Lexi Alexander put in a layup at 7:13 to bring Nicholls within six at 40-34. The Lions would not allow their opponent to get any closer, outscoring the Colonels 21-8 the remainder of the quarter.

Washington spirited that run with two of her four three-point baskets.

he Lions showcased their offensive arsenal throughout the contest, but a suffocating defensive stand to start the second half limited Nicholls to four-of-16 shooting for 10 minutes.

Paul paced the Lions in the fourth quarter, accounting for eight points. She scored 14 of her 18 in the second half.

Southeastern took its largest lead of the game (73-49) at 4:46. The group counted 17 assists on 27 made baskets in the contest and outrebounded Nicholls 44-27.