KATY, TEXAS – Moses Greenwood scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the third-seeded Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team over sixth-seeded Central Arkansas, 79-65, in the Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals Thursday at the Merrell Center.
 
The Lions (17-15) won for their 13^th time in the last 16 games advancing to the Southland Tournament semifinals for the second straight year.
 
Thursday was the third time SLU and UCA met this season with each team winning on the other's home floor. But it was the Lions winning the rubber match on the grandest stage. 
 
UCA (14-19) was led by Thatch Unruh. The senior scored 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting including four three-pointers.
 
Ten players scored for Southeastern led by Greenwood. The senior from Sharon, Mississippi, finished 9-for-14 (64 percent) becoming the fourth player in program history to score over 1,500 points (1,503).
 
"We feel confident in our depth," said fifth-year SLU head coach Jay Ladner. "We were able to get a big lead and build on it and I thought our younger guys really handled themselves well. And then with them playing that well and getting to save some of our older guys legs, that gives us a little bit better chance moving forward."
 
Greenwood fell a rebound shy of posting three double-doubles against UCA in the three matchups this season.
 
"I really just bring the same effort every game," said Greenwood. "I just try to find my spots and try to outrebound the guy guarding me and go from there."
 
Senior Marlain Veal added 15 points, four assists and two steals while shooting 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Junior Von Julien had 13 points, five assists and was 11-for-12 at the charity stripe.
 
"We had a really good team effort tonight," said Veal. "As long as we all have the mindset we did tonight, then we have a chance to have success."
 
The Lions shot 24-for-50 (48 percent) from the field while holding UCA to 20-for-53 (37 percent while outrebounding the Bears 38-27.
 
SLU shot 23-for-27 (85 percent) from the free throw line and committed just 13 turnovers.
 
Southeastern led, 36-25, at halftime and held the Bears to just nine first half field goals. SLU exploded in the second half and led by as much as 20, 59-39, before cruising to the win.
 
"We knew it was going to be a tough game," said SLU-fifth year head coach Jay Ladner. "We played two competitive games during the regular season and I thought tonight they played hard to the end, we just played well and I was proud of our team's efforts."
 
Southeastern will face second-ranked Abilene Christian (25-6, 14-4 Southland) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the tournament semifinals.
 
The Lions and Wildcats split the two games in the regular season. ACU defeated SLU, 75-72, Jan. 12 in Hammond, Louisiana. Southeastern returned the favor defeating the Wildcats, 75-66, Feb. 23 in Abilene, Texas.
 
SLU fans are encouraged to purchase tickets at the Southeastern ticket window across from the main ticket office at the Merrell Center.
                                                              
Friday's game can be seen live on ESPN+ at https://es.pn/2CeHsWW  and can be heard live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day Experience and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.  All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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