SLU clinches Southland Tournament berth with 73-39 win at Northwestern State

NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana women’s basketball team clinched a spot in next month’s Southland Conference Tournament with a convincing 73-39 victory over league foe Northwestern State Saturday afternoon at Prather Coliseum.

A return to the postseason was not all SLU (10-6, 9-4 Southland) clinched with its sixth straight league victory – tied for the longest winning streak in conference play since joining the Southland.

Southeastern also ensured its first overall winning record since the 2008-09 season. The 39 points were the fewest allowed by the Lady Lions to a Southland Conference opponent. SLU made a return to the Southland Tournament last season after an eight-year absence, but the postseason was halted right before tip-off of its first round game versus New Orleans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve been playing so well together as a team,” Southeastern head coach Ayla Guzzardo said. “We’re seeing different people step up for us every game, which is an encouraging sign.”

Southeastern has positioned itself to be the No. 2 seed in the Southland Tournament with wins in its final two games of the regular season, which would give SLU a bye into the semifinals.

“These past couple of years, we’ve just been trying to get to Katy,” Guzzardo commented. “This year, we’re able to switch our focus to play for seeding and give us the best chance in the Southland Tournament.”

The Lady Lions used a balanced effort on the way to its fourth straight win over the Lady Demons (0-18, 0-13 Southland). Daija Harvey scored a career-high 16 points to lead four players in double figures for Southeastern.

Morgan Carrier and Hailey Giaratano pitched in 12 points apiece for SLU, while Cierria Cunningham added 11 points. Cunningham dished out a season-high eight assists, while Caitlyn Williams pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
Northwestern State was led by Erin Harris with 15 points. Osha Cummings topped the Lady Demons with eight rebounds.

SLU led 15-8 after the opening quarter, but took control for good in the second quarter. The Lady Lions outscored Northwestern State, 23-5, in the second quarter. The period marked the fourth straight quarter SLU had held an opponent to double digits and sent Southeastern into halftime with a 38-13 advantage.

Northwestern State battled hard, but couldn’t make it a game in the final half. The Lady Demons could get no closer than 22 the rest of the way.

Southeastern Louisiana 73 (10-6, 9-4 SLC)
Ducksworth 0-0 0-0 0, Williams 3-8, 1-2 7, Carrier 4-11 0-0 12, Kelly 2-5 0-2 4, Giaratano 5-11 0-0 12, Bradford 1-3 0-2 2, Brown 4-5 1-1 9, Harvey 5-11 3-3 16, Cunningham 5-10 1-1 11. Totals 29-64 6-11 73.
Northwestern State 39 (0-18, 0-13 SLC)
Harris 7-16 1-3 15, Cojocariu 0-1 0-0 0, Cummings 3-12 1-2 7, Braxton 0-2 0-0 0, Sion 2-4 0-2 4, Dussette 1-7 3-4 5, Marsh 1-1 0-0 2, Washington 2-9 1-2 5, Green 0-1 0-0 0, Vidal 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 16-53 7-15 39.
End of 1st Quarter – SLU 15, NSU 8. Halftime – SLU 38, NSU 13. End of 3rd Quarter – SLU 56, NSU 29. 3-point goals – SLU 9-23 (Carrier 4-9, Harvey 3-7, Giaratano 2-4), NSU 0-11 (Washington 0-4, Harris 0-2, Dussette 0-2, Cummings 0-1, Braxton 0-1, Green 0-1). Technical Fouls – None. Fouled Out – None. Rebounds – SLU 41 (Williams 9), NSU 37 (Cummings 8). Assists – SLU 18 (Cunningham 8), NSU 6 (Washington 4). Total Fouls – SLU 14, NSU 6. A – 325.