LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men’s basketball team fought hard but ended their season with a 71-67 loss to Incarnate Word in overtime during the first round of the 2025 Jersey Mike’s Southland Conference Basketball Championships.
Sam Hines, Jr. stood out in this game, scoring 27 points on 13 of 22 shooting. He also grabbed eight rebounds, had four assists, and made a steal in what would be his last game for SLU. Jakevion Buckley also played his final game, contributing 13 points and seven rebounds.
Jeremy Elyzee finished with 12 points, matching Hines in rebounds with eight while blocking a shot. Brody Rowbury added 11 points, including the team’s only three-pointer of the night.
Despite outshooting UIW overall, with 27 field goals at a 40.9% rate compared to their 39.1%, the Lions struggled from beyond the arc, making only one of ten attempts. UIW, on the other hand, hit nine three-pointers.
The game started with Buckley scoring the first points. Rowbury quickly followed with a three-pointer to give SLU the early edge. However, UIW then went on a significant run, outscoring the Lions 22-4 to take an 18-point lead at 29-11.
As the first half progressed, the Lions began to claw their way back. They closed the half with a 12-1 run, aided by Elyzee’s free throws and Hines’s lay-up, ending the first period at 32-25 in favor of UIW.
Southeastern continued to build momentum into the second half, narrowing the score to 32-29. UIW briefly stopped the Lions’ surge but couldn’t maintain their lead. Hines sparked a 12-0 run, giving SLU a 47-43 lead after being down by 18 points earlier.
The game tightened down the stretch, with five lead changes and two ties. Both teams missed opportunities late in regulation, leading to overtime.
In the extra period, Hines got the scoring started for the Lions again, but UIW’s three-point shooting shifted the momentum back their way. After trading leads, the game came down to the final seconds. Although Buckley attempted a crucial floater to tie, it missed, and UIW sealed the game with two free throws.
Southeastern concludes the 2024-25 season with an 18-14 record, having finished 12-8 in the Southland Conference.
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