LAKE CHARLES, La. — In a compelling matchup at the Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals, Nicholls secured a 74-70 victory over Incarnate Word on Monday night, with significant contributions from Jamal West. West, who scored four of his 17 points during overtime, was instrumental in propelling the third-seeded Colonels (20-12) into the semifinals, where they will face second-seeded Lamar on Tuesday.
The highlight of the overtime period was West’s pivotal dunk, which established a 67-63 advantage for Nicholls early on. He further solidified the team’s lead by making two crucial free throws with just 11 seconds remaining, ensuring a two-possession gap that proved insurmountable for their opponents. West was not only a force on the scoreboard but also led the team defensively with 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks.
Supporting West’s remarkable performance, Michael Gray Jr. contributed 15 points and collected five rebounds, while Jaylen Searles added 11 points to the Colonels’ total. The seventh-seeded Cardinals (17-16) were powered by Dylan Hayman, who impressed with 29 points and three steals. Contributions from Jalin Anderson, with 16 points, four assists, and three steals, and Lamin Sabally, who added 12 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, also kept Incarnate Word competitive throughout the game.
The first half concluded with Nicholls holding a narrow 28-27 lead, thanks largely to West, who scored eight points by halftime. Incarnate Word, however, displayed resilience, coming back to tie the game at 63 with a well-executed sequence in the final moments of regulation. Hayman’s timely 3-pointer with 52 seconds on the clock initiated the surge, followed by a layup by Anderson with just 16 seconds to go, forcing the game into overtime after a streak of scoring that began with Anderson capitalizing on one of two free throws with 1:20 remaining.
As the tournament progresses, top-seeded McNeese will take on fourth-seeded Northwestern State in the first semifinal, adding further excitement to the path to the championship.
