HOUSTON, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team claimed a thrilling 74-71 overtime victory over HCU Saturday afternoon in the Sharp Gymnasium.
SLU (4-6, 1-1 SLC) secured its first Southland Conference win on the road against HCU (5-5, 1-1 SLC) in a hard fought overtime battle. The Lions gained a position back in the win column with an 8-5 scoring advantage down the stretch in overtime while claiming 24 points off the Huskies 16 turnovers.
Sophomore Jeremy Elyzee closed out his second consecutive game in double-figures with 17 points and seven rebounds to lead the team in both categories, shooting 5-10 from the field and 7-9 from the free throw line. Junior Peter Hemschemeier stuffed the stat sheet for the Lions with 14 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists. Hemschemeier shot 5-9 from the field and 4-7 from behind the arc to contribute to the victory.
Redshirt-sophomore CJ Booker and Radford transfer Isaiah Gaines followed up with 12 points apiece to provide a spark of momentum for Southeastern late in the contest. Booker scored a season-high against HCU while dishing out three assists, shooting 5-11 from the field and 2-4 from the three-point line. SLU persevered through 12 ties and six lead changes to end the game shooting 42.9 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from behind the arc and 72.0 percent from the charity stripe.
Southeastern came out to a solid start in the opening minutes of the first half to go on a 12-4 scoring run against Houston Christian. The Huskies quickly answered with a scoring run of their own to cut into the deficit, but Hemschemeier and Jalen Forrest (five points) stepped up to provide an immediate impact as SLU battled to establish its rhythm offensively. As the game went back-and-forth throughout the first half, with neither team able to create separation.
The Lions entered the halftime break deadlocked at 36-36 against the Huskies as both teams closed out the first half with efficient shooting performances. Southeastern closed out the half shooting 48.0 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from the three-point line and 80.0 percent from the line.
SLU returned from the halftime break and worked to gradually assert control of the game, forcing HCU into nine turnovers to capitalize on 13 points off the hosts' mistakes. Hemschemeier continued to prove to be a major contributor for Southeastern from behind the arc during key stretches to keep the green and gold in front, 52-49.
Houston Christian refused to back down as Trent Johnson (17 points) spearheaded the Huskies' rally. Johnson carried the Huskies late in the second half connecting from the three-point line to cause trouble for the Lions. Elijah Brooks also made his presence known, contributing 17 points and five rebounds as the HCU tied the game at 66–66 on a late three-pointer by Johnson to force the contest into overtime.
The Lions remained poised and relied on its defensive efforts to create plays throughout overtime. Though the Huskies continued to battle, Southeastern found a way to weather each storm and answer back on the road. Gaines shifted the momentum in SLU's favor late in overtime with a steal and fast-break dunk, 70-68, to extend its lead.
Johnson proved to have the hot hand down the stretch for the Huskies as he drained his fifth triple of the afternoon to tie the game, 71-71. Hemschemeier delivered yet another defining play, scoring in the lane to reclaim the lead with under 30 seconds remaining, 73-71. Elyzee and Gaines stepped up to seal the victory at the free-throw line, as Southeastern outscored Houston Christian 8–5 in the extra session.
SLU will return to Hammond, America to continue conference play, hosting East Texas A&M Monday at 6 p.m. Monday's matchup against the Lions will be streamed on ESPN+.
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
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
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.
