Southland Conference Tournament Semifinals: No. 3 Northwestern State moved a step closer to returning to the Big Dance with a 78-65 victory against No. 7 Lamar. Junior Trey Gilder scored nine points from the free throw line en route to 19 points, which was tops in the game. The Demons made 24-of-30 free throws to keep Lamar down in the second half after building a 12-point halftime lead. Northwestern State will defend its Southland title against No. 1 Texas A&M – Corpus Christi.
The Islanders dominated No. 4 McNeese State from start to finish in an 87-66 win. Five players reach double figures, led by senior Cedric Smith’s 16 points. Texas A&M – Corpus Christi shot better than 56 percent from the field in the win and converted 37-of-44 free throws in a foul-filled game. McNeese State struggled to mount a comeback, largely because the Cowboys only hit one three-pointer in the game. [3/09/07]
