LAKE CHARLES, La. – Defending tournament champion Stephen F. Austin erased an early double-digit deficit and rode a massive third quarter surge to escape with a 63–60 win over Nicholls Tuesday afternoon at the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Championship in Lake Charles.

The victory sends the No. 3 seed Ladyjacks back to the semifinals for the second straight season, where they will meet No. 2 Lamar in a rematch of last year’s semifinal at 1 p.m. Wednesday on ESPN+.

Nicholls controlled the early momentum behind Sh’Diamond McKnight, jumping out to a 17–9 lead after the first quarter and stretching the margin to 11 points midway through the second. The Colonels continued to dictate the pace and carried a 29–23 lead into halftime, holding SFA to just 33 percent shooting in the opening half.

The game flipped completely after the break.

SFA erupted for 27 points in the third quarter, using an aggressive defensive stretch and transition offense to swing the momentum. The Ladyjacks turned a six-point halftime deficit into a 50–46 lead entering the fourth, highlighted by a late burst from Myka Perry and Harmanie Dominguez that ignited the rally.

The final quarter became a back-and-forth battle, but SFA repeatedly answered every Nicholls push. Perry converted a key three-point play late in the third to give the Ladyjacks breathing room, and SFA’s defense forced several critical stops down the stretch to preserve the narrow margin.

Myka Perry led the Ladyjacks with 18 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double while controlling the glass during SFA’s comeback. Key Roseby added 13 points, and Harmanie Dominguez chipped in 11, including several key buckets during the third-quarter surge.

Nicholls was paced by Sh’Diamond McKnight, who poured in a game-high 21 points, while Myka Perry and Aziyah Farrier helped SFA limit second-chance opportunities during the closing minutes.

With the win, SFA advances to face No. 2 Lamar on Wednesday afternoon as the Ladyjacks continue their quest to defend last year’s Southland Conference tournament title.