KATY, Texas (AP) - DeQuan Hicks scored 21 points and nabbed 10 rebounds and fourth-seeded Northwestern State’s big opening half laid the groundwork for an 88-72 victory over No. 5 seed Nicholls State in a Southland Conference quarterfinal matchup on Thursday.
Jalen West, the Southland’s defensive player of the year, opened the game with a 3-pointer in what ignited a 10-2 run for the Demons -the defending tournament champions- who never trailed in the game.
Northwestern State (17-13) led by as many as 20 points in the first half before settling for a 43-28 halftime lead over Nicholls State. The Colonels (14-15) fought to within eight points with 13:46 to play in the second period before the Demons pulled away again.
People were interested in these podcasts
West and Marvin Frazier Jr. added 18 points each for Northwestern State, which advances to a semifinal game against top-seeded Stephen F. Austin on Friday.
Jeremy Smith topped Colonel scorers with 24 points.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.