NATCHITOCHES, La. — In a thrilling basketball matchup on Saturday night, Southeastern Louisiana edged out Northwestern State with a narrow victory of 65-64, largely thanks to the performance of Jakevion Buckley, who scored 19 points.

Buckley also made a significant contribution on the boards, grabbing eight rebounds for the Lions, who now hold a record of 10-8 overall and 4-3 in the Southland Conference. Sam Hines Jr. was another key player in the game, adding 15 points to the scoreboard and shooting 6 of 11 from the field, alongside 3 for 5 from the charity stripe. He also contributed six rebounds to the team’s effort, while Kam Burton made his mark with nine points, hitting three out of six attempts from three-point range.

The critical moment of the game arrived when Hines delivered a layup with just eight seconds remaining, putting Southeastern Louisiana ahead. The Demons called for a timeout to regroup, but Jon Sanders II’s attempt at a buzzer-beating layup fell short, securing the victory for the Lions.

On the other side of the court, the Demons struggled despite a solid performance from Addison Patterson, who led their scoring with 16 points. He also recorded four assists, two steals, and two blocks during the game. Micah Thomas contributed to the Demons’ score with 13 points, while Willie Williams added nine points along with a notable ten rebounds and two blocks in an attempt to turn the tide.

This closely contested game illustrated the fierce competition within the Southland Conference, showcasing skill and determination from both teams, making it a thrilling event for fans.