KATY, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team's Southland Tournament Title bid fell just short as they lost to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 73-65 Saturday night at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

 
With the game up for grabs, SLU trailed 61-58 with 3:37 remaining. However, A&M-Corpus Christi (23-11, 7-7 Southland) went on a 10-2 run to take a 71-60 advantage with under a minute remaining as they claimed the Southland Conference Tournament Title.

 
The Lions (19-14, 10-4 SLC) were led by Keon Clergeot with 18 points while Ryan Burkhardt added 14.  Joe Kasperzyk contributed with 10 points to aid the Lions. Jalyn Hinton, the Southland's Defensive Player of the Year, had six blocked shots to add to his league-leading total of 78.

 
A&M-Corpus Christi (22-11, 7-7 Southland) had four players in double-figures led by Jalen Jackson and Terrion Murdix with 13 points. De'Lazarus Key scored 12 points while San Antonio Brinson had 10.

 
Southeastern, after falling behind 4-0 to start the game, responded with a 13-0 run to take control early. However, the Islanders rallied back and outscored the Lions, 29-14, the rest of the half to take a 35-30 halftime lead.

 
In the second half, Clergeot came out on fire as he scored eight straight points to pull the Lions to within one, 41-40. SLU hung tough as it stayed with one possession for much of the second half before the Islanders went on the game-deciding 10-2 run.

 
"It's a tough to go out for these guys," said SLU men's head basketball coach David Kiefer. "It was one of the most fun and unselfish teams I've ever been a part of. But hats off to A&M-Corpus Christi and their coaching staff. I thought defensively they were really good. That's a good basketball team and they were the better team tonight."

 
The Lions finished the game 18-for-48 (37.5 percent) from the field but also drilled 10 three-pointers, adding to their school record total of 295. SLU also had another stellar performance at the free throw line (19-for-22 for 86.4 percent).

 
However, SLU was outscored 36-16 in the paint and 18-5 in the fast break Saturday. The Islanders also scored 23 points off 15 Lions' turnovers while SLU had 11 points on 13 Islanders' turnovers.

 
While Saturday's result wasn't the one SLU wanted, it culminated a remarkable come-back season. After winning just eight games in each of the previous two seasons, the Lions won 19 games and also had three players named to the All-Southland team in Gus Okafor (first team) along with Hinton and Clergeot (second team). Kiefer was also named Southland Coach of the Year. Hinton and Kasperzyk were also both named to the Southland All-Tournament team Saturday.

 
"I think this team has helped set the culture for years to come," said Kiefer. "This team does everything for each other and cares for each. They do the right thing on and off the floor. And while it hurts to be talking about the loss right now, I'm very proud of this team for being the people they are. It's been my privilege to coach this group."

 
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. 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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