WEST SCORES 13 IN NSU’S BRACKETBUSTERS’ LOSS
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Former Bossier star Jalan West scored 13 points in Northwestern State’s 92-76 loss to Niagara in a Bracketbusters matchup Saturday.
Niagara shot a scorching 80 percent overall and on 3-pointers to blow open a one-point game. The Purple Eagles (17-11) hit 20 of 25 shots overall, including 8 of 10 on 3s, taking a 31-30 halftime edge out to their biggest lead, 89-66 with 3:45 remaining.
They coasted home missing their last five shots to finish at 57 percent overall and 60 percent (12-20) on 3-pointers, stats ballooning by their season 42 percent overall aim and 32 percent accuracy behind the arc.
Northwestern (19-7) fell for the first time in 10 games despite a career-best 20 points from senior forward Gary Roberson, who became the fifth Demon this season to score 20 or more.
“It was 44-43 and we went empty on four of our next five possessions, missing some point-blank shots underneath, and Niagara got on a roll. They got control and their confidence soared. They did a great job getting inside baskets while they couldn't miss from outside, so you give them credit for an exceptional performance,” said Demons coach Mike McConathy.
EX-AIRLINE STAR HAGINS SCORES 10 IN UALR LOSS
Arkansas-Little Rock freshman guard Josh Hagins, a former Airline star, scored 10 points in the Trojans’ 73-59 loss to Florida Atlantic Saturday in Boca Raton, Fla.
West hit two 3-pointers and made 4-of-9 shots from the field. Hagins has started 15 games and is averaging 8.2 points. UALR dropped to 15-14 overall and 9-9 in the Sun Belt Conference.
BPCC BASEBALL TEAM RETURNS TO ACTION TODAY
The Bossier Parish Community College baseball team will try to end a four-game slide when it faces Texas-Tyler tonight at 6 in Tyler, Texas. The Cavs are 8-6.
AIRLINE PRODUCT BLUBAUGH SIXTH IN SLC INDOOR MEET
Stephen F. Austin’s Becca Blubaugh, a former Airline standout, finished sixth in the 5,000-meter run at the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday in Norman, Okla. Blubaugh ran an 18:39.20.
TROMBA PITCHES GENTS TO VICTORY
Former Airline star Layton Tromba went the distance in the Centenary Gents’ 3-1 victory over Hendrix College Friday night at Shehee Stadium.
Tromba, a Southeastern Louisiana transfer, allowed seven hits and struck out six. He improved to 2-0 on the season.
TECH WOMEN FOURTH, MEN SIXTH IN WAC INDOOR MEET
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Louisiana Tech’s women’s track and field team finished fourth while the men finished six as action wrapped up at the Western Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships Saturday afternoon at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
The Lady Techsters won two gold medals on the final day of the championship meet and finished in fourth place overall as a team, scoring 95 points. Texas State won the women’s team title with 122 points scored.
The Bulldogs finished sixth overall with 48 points scored in the meet. UTSA won the overall men’s title with 159 points scored.
Kim Francis won the first gold medal of the day, running 8.36 in the 60-meter hurdles in the dominating win. Teammate Bianca Jackson finished in second with a time of 8.53 while Marlesia Carey placed seventh, running 8.87.
Kimberly Smith won the other gold medal on the day for Tech with a 60-meter dash finals time of 7.34.
That win continued a streak of a Lady Techster winning the WAC gold medal in the in every year since 2005. Tech also had runners finish 5-6-7-8 in the 60 finals in the following order: Brittany Walker (7.61), Charla Craddock (7.68), Kim Francis (7.68) and Victoria Wade (7.72).
The biggest upset of the day came in the men’s 200 as Tech’s Trey Hadnot, ranked first in the conference and fourth in the nation, was topped by UT Arlington’s Clayton Vaught. Vaught won the gold medal with a time of 20.86 while Hadnot ran 20.95 to win silver.
