LAKE CHARLES, La. – Avery VanSickle hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:57 to play as the third-seeded Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks took a 61-53 victory of second-seeded Lamar to move into the championship game of the Jersey Mike's Southland Basketball Championships presented by Explore Louisiana. 

The Ladyjacks return to the title game for the first time since 2021 as they will meet top-seeded Southeastern at 4 p.m. on Thursday on ESPNU. 

Trinity Moore led the way with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while VanSickle added 11 points on three made 3-pointers. Ashlyn Traylor-Walker scored 10 points with seven boards. 

In a heavyweight bout that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes, the two side battled for four quarters with no team truly taking a signifcant advantage.

The first half saw the Ladyjacks take a seven point advantage in the first seven minutes as the Moore came out hot along with 3-poiners from Traylor-Walker and Harmanie Dominguez. 

Lamar weathered the storm, getting their star Akasha Davis going as they cut the deficit to 16-11 at the end of one.

The Cardinals sailed back to tie the game at 23, and it was a stalemate between the two sides the rest of the way with both sides going into the break even at 29. 

The third quarter saw Lamar regain momentum, pushing a lead out to six points. SFA responded and tied the game at 42, but a buzzer beat by Davis gave them a 44-42 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

The fourth quarter was an instant classic that saw six lead changes as both teams threw their final haymakers. Down 51-48, VanSickle got an offensive rebound pullback followed by a Faith Blackstone lay in to lead it 52-51.

After going 1 of 1 from the line, VanSickle hit the shot of the game, hitting a corner three to put the Ladyjacks ahead for good. Blackstone followed with a lay in the next possession to get it to four and it was free throws the rest of the way as SFA claimed an incredible game.

Davis closed a masterful career with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and two steals, while Dean added nine points and six boards.