Box Score (PDF) | Replay | Highlights | NSU Sound Bites | SFA Sound Bites

by Brandon C. Williams
Southland.org

KATY, Texas – For a second consecutive night, the nation’s highest-scoring offense came through defensively, and in the process swiped an NCAA tournament bid from their rival.

Northwestern State made several clutch plays on the defensive side of the ball in the closing minutes, including a game-clinching steal from DeQuan Hicks that gave the Demons a 68-66 win over top-seeded Stephen F. Austin in the championship game of the Southland Conference tournament Saturday night, returning to the Big Dance for the first time since their dramatic run in 2006.

“It feels good to go dancing,” said Demons guard Shamir Davis, who was selected as the tournament’s most outstanding player. “I can’t wait see where we go on Sunday night.”

Sunday night became must-see TV for Northwestern State (23-8) when Hicks cut in front of SFA guard Antonio Bostic and intercepted a pass with two seconds left, while also having the presence to throw the ball in the air to run out the clock and begin the celebration for a Demons team that withstood a series of surges by the Lumberjacks (27-4) after taking a 54-45 lead at the 9:39 mark of the second half.

“It was one of those right-place-at-the-right-time moments,” said Hicks, who finished with 13 points. “I just made a read and went for it. If I made it, I made it, which I was fortunate enough to make.”

Hicks also played a key role in containing Lumberjacks star forward Taylor Smith. The Southland Conference Player of the Year finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, yet was also constantly harassed by the swarm of post players Northwestern State coach Mike McConathy threw at him.

The benefit of a deep bench helped contribute to the game plan of slowing down Smith, as 10 Demons played at least 12 minutes, allowing a series of fresh bodies to begin wearing down a Stephen F. Austin team that had relied on a seven-man rotation for much of the season.

“It was 3-4 players (at a time),” Smith said. I also made some costly turnovers. I didn’t really play to my potential in the second half than I was capable of, and I just want to apologize to my team for that.”

An inability to cash in at the free throw line also doomed the Lumberjacks, who have a guaranteed spot in the NIT should they not receive an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. Stephen F. Austin missed 14 of 23 from the charity stripe, including a 9-of-14 effort in the second half.

SFA coach Danny Kaspar felt the difference in the game was the play of Davis, who had 19 points.

“We had some difficulties controlling (Davis),” he said. “He brought a lot of offense to a lot of other players.”

Davis was joined on the all-tournament team by Hicks, Smith and SFA guard Desmond Haymon along with Sam Houston State guard Darius Gatson.

“Everybody in the stands in the three times we played got everything they paid for to see Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State,” McConathy said.

All-Tournament Team
Shamir Davis, Northwestern State (MVP)
DeQuan Hicks, Northwestern State
Taylor Smith, Stephen F. Austin
Desmond Haymon, Stephen F. Austin
Darius Gatson, Sam Houston State