2021 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
(8) SLU Lions (8-17, 5-10 SLC) vs. (9) New Orleans Privateers (9-14, 8-7 SLC)
March 10, 2021 | 5 p.m. CT | Katy, Texas | Merrell Center 
Series History: UNO Leads 16-8
Last Meeting: UNO 81, SLU 76 OT (March 3, 2021 – New Orleans, La.)
Watch: ESPN+ - Dave Saltzman, Ben Braun
Radio: None
 
KATY, Texas – The eighth-seeded Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team held off a late rally by ninth-seeded McNeese to pick up a 71-68 win in the first round of the 2021 Hercules Tires Southland Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Tuesday at the Merrell Center.
 
The Lions (8-17) were led by junior Gus Okafor who finished with a game-high 26 points on 10-for-21 shooting, including five steals. Sophomore Isiah Kirby had 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting with three assists and two steals. Senior Keon Clergeot had 10 points including four crucial points in the final minute to hold off McNeese's late surge.
 
The Cowboys (10-15) were paced by Carlos Rosario with 18 points and eight rebounds while A.J. Lawson had 12 points and seven assists.
 
While the first half saw both teams battling for control of the game, the second half was a game of runs. The Lions trailed 33-31 early in the second half but went on a 13-2 burst to take a 44-35 lead.  
 
McNeese responded with a 10-3 run to cut the Lions' lead to two, 47-45, with 11:36 to go. Southeastern appeared to have taken control of the game as they answered with an 18-3 run highlighted by two three-pointers from Okafor and one from Clergeot as the Lions led, 63-48, with 7:43 to play.
 
Again, the Cowboys answered as they came storming back as they went on a 16-2 run pulling to within one of SLU, 65-64 with just 1:02 left.
 
The Lions would turn to their senior leader in Clergeot as the UMass transfer knocked down a jumper from the free throw line with 35 seconds left to give SLU a 67-64 advantage.
 
McNeese appeared to have tied the game on the following possession as Chris Orlina knocked down a shot from long range. However, after review, the video showed Orlina's left toe was on the line to keep the Lions in front by one, 67-66, with 12 seconds left.
 
Moments later, Clergeot knocked down two free throws to give SLU the three-point advantage as the Lions hung on for the thrilling win.
 
Southeastern finished the game 26-for-68 (38 percent) from the field but tied a season low with just 10 turnovers. The Lions also converted 12 of 15 from the free throw line.
 
SLU was able to capitalize off 20 McNeese turnovers converting them into 25 points off turnovers. Southeastern also outscored the Cowboys 38-28 in the paint despite being outrebounded, 42-34. The Lions limited the Cowboys, the league's top three-point field goal shooting percentage team, to 7-for-24 (29 percent) from beyond the arc.
 
The unsung heroes for the Lions were sophomores Nick Caldwell, who finished with a career-high 13 rebounds, and Jondarius Warren.
 
Warren played 27 minutes off the bench and scored eight points helping the Lions fill a void as Joe Kasperzyk left early in the second half with an apparent knee injury.
 
The Lions will face fifth-seeded New Orleans (9-14, 8-7 Southland) in the second round Wednesday at 5 p.m.
 
SLU and UNO split the regular season series with each winning at home. The Lions defeated UNO, 79-73, in Hammond while the Privateers edged SLU, 81-76, in overtime in the regular season finale in New Orleans.
 
Fans can watch Wednesday's game on ESPN+, available on www.WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. Web links to video and stats are available on the basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.
 
MCN 68 (10-15)
Feazell 2-5, 3-4 7, Rosario 6-9, 6-8 18, Warren 1-5, 0-0 3, Lawson 5-11, 2-4 11, Francois 3-7, 0-0 9, Kuxhausen 1-6, 0-0 3, Scott 2-3, 0-0 6, Harrell 0-2, 0-0 0, Bush 0-0, 0-0 0, Orlina, 4-5, 2-2 10
Totals 24-53, 13-18 68
 
SLU 71 (8-17)
Caldwell 1-5, 2-2 4, Okafor 10-21, 4-4 26, Kirby 5-10, 3-3 14, Clergeot 3-11, 3-4 10, Kasperzyk 4-10, 3-4 9, Warren 3-7, 0-1 8, Kemp 0-1, 0-0 0, Ifejeh 0-1, 0-0 0, Smith 0-2, 0-0 0, Strange 0-0, 0-0 0
Totals 26-68, 12-15 71
 
Halftime – SLU 31, MCN 31 3-point goals – SLU 7-31 (Okafor 2-9, Warren 2-5, Clergeot 1-6, Kasperzyk 1-4, Kirby 1-3, Smith 0-2, Caldwell 0-1, Kemp 0-1) McN 7-24 (Francois 3-7, Scott 2-3, Kuxhausen 1-5, Warren 1-4, Lawson 0-5). Technical Fouls SLU None. MCN – None. Fouled Out – SLU - None. McNeese – None.  Rebounds – MCN 42, SLU 34 (MCN – Rosario 8), (SLU – Caldwell 13). Assists – SLU 12 (Kirby, Caldwell 3), MCN (Lawson 7). Total Fouls – SLU 17, MCN 15
 
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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TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
 
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