Incarnate Word defeats SE Louisiana 79-70
Incarnate Word Edges Out SE Louisiana in Thrilling Conference Showdown
The McDermott Center was electric on Tuesday evening as the Incarnate Word Pioneers hosted their conference rivals, the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. In a battle that would come down to the wire, Incarnate Word emerged victorious with a 79-70 win over the visiting SE Louisiana squad.
From the outset, it was clear that this game would be a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. At halftime, Incarnate Word held a slim lead of 39-32, but the Pioneers' bench proved to be the difference-maker in the second half.
With their home crowd energized and motivated, Incarnate Word's Jordan Pyke took center stage. The senior guard exploded for 26 points, including four three-pointers, to help his team build a comfortable lead. Pyke's hot shooting was matched by SE Louisiana's Isaiah Gaines, who poured in 15 points, but the Lions' offense struggled to find its footing beyond the arc.
The Pioneers' defense played a crucial role in their win, holding SE Louisiana to just 20% from three-point range. Incarnate Word's Harold Woods and Tahj Staveskie both chipped in with strong all-around performances, with Woods grabbing 10 rebounds and Staveskie dishing out six assists.
SE Louisiana's Ethan Pickett led the way for the Lions on offense, scoring 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds. However, his team's inability to contain Pyke and limit SE Louisiana's fast break opportunities ultimately proved costly.
In the end, Incarnate Word's balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much for SE Louisiana to handle. The Pioneers took advantage of every turnover and rebounding opportunity, outscoring their visitors 21-14 in points off turnovers and outrebounding them 37-42.
As the final buzzer sounded, the McDermott Center crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating a hard-fought win for Incarnate Word. The Pioneers' victory marked a significant conference win for their program and sets them up for a strong finish to the season.
Game Leaders:
Incarnate Word
* Jordan Pyke - 26 points (4-5 3PT), 75.0% FG
* Harold Woods - 10 rebounds, 4 points, 1 ast
* Tahj Staveskie - 6 assists, 21 points, 4 reb, 1 stl
SE Louisiana
* Isaiah Gaines - 15 points (0-1 3PT), 60.0% FG
* Ethan Pickett - 9 rebounds, 13 points, 1 stl
* Jeremy Elyzee - 2 assists, 12 points, 5 reb, 2 stl