In a shocking turn of events, Northwestern State pulled off a stunning 70-68 upset over Lamar at the Montagne Center, defying all expectations and sending a statement to the college basketball world. This monumental victory marked a significant upset, as Lamar was predicted to win by 11.4 points, according to CHD Scout. However, the Demons had other plans, capitalizing on their opportunities and silencing the critics.
Willie Williams' Double-Double Marks 5th of the Season
The game got off to a scorching start, with Northwestern State taking a 37-33 lead into halftime. The Demons' Willie Williams was instrumental in their first-half success, scoring 8 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Lamar's Rob Lee Jr. kept his team in the game, scoring 10 points in the first half. As the second half unfolded, Lamar mounted a comeback, outscoring Northwestern State 35-33. Despite this, the Demons managed to hold on, thanks in large part to Williams' all-around performance. He finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Micah Thomas added 14 points of his own.
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Lamar's top performers, Rob Lee Jr. and Andrew Holifield, did their best to will their team to victory, scoring 18 and 17 points, respectively. Braden East chipped in with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the determined Demons. As the final buzzer sounded, Northwestern State celebrated a hard-fought 2-point victory, one that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the biggest upsets of the season.
This win has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Northwestern State, this Quad 3 victory is a massive boost to their resume, especially considering their current Net ranking of 307. On the other hand, Lamar's loss is a Quad 4 defeat, which could potentially hurt their postseason aspirations. The Cardinals, currently ranked 200 in the Net, cannot afford many more losses like this if they hope to make a push for the tournament.
In the end, Northwestern State's upset victory over Lamar serves as a reminder that, in college basketball, anything can happen on any given night. The Demons' impressive performance will undoubtedly give them a much-needed confidence boost, while Lamar will be left to regroup and refocus after a disappointing loss.