SB Nation Houston - Southland Conference Tournament 2011: UTSA Completes Cinderella Run, Knocks Off McNeese Statehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-03-12T17:37:36-06:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17978352011-03-12T17:37:36-06:002011-03-12T17:37:36-06:00Texas-San Antonio Wins Southland Tournament, Returns To NCAA's For First Time Since 2004
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Final Score: Texas-San Antonio 75, McNeese State 72</p>
<p>Katy, TX (Sports Network) – <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124510/jeromie-hill">Jeromie Hill</a> posted 25 points to complete Texas- San Antonio’s surprising run in the Southland Conference Tournament with a win over McNeese State, 75-72, as the Roadrunners claimed their first title since 2004.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29702/devin-gibson">Devin Gibson</a> notched 15 points and Melvin Johnson <span class="caps">III</span> had 14 points for the seventh-seeded Roadrunners (19-13), who won their third conference crown and is riding a five-game win streak into the <span class="caps">NCAA</span> Tournament. They defeated second-seeded Northwestern State by one point in the quarterfinal round and disposed of third-seeded Sam Houston State in the semifinals on Thursday by a 79-70 final to get to the championship game.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101048/stephen-franklin">Stephen Franklin</a> chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29535/diego-kapelan">Diego Kapelan</a> scored 20 points for the top-seeded Cowboys (21-11), who got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Patrick Richard. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29548/p-j-alawoya">P.J. Alawoya</a> added 10 points and 12 boards in the loss.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/12/2047019/texas-san-antonio-wins-southland-tournament-returns-to-ncaas-forRivers McCown2011-03-12T09:00:43-06:002011-03-12T09:00:43-06:00Southland Conference Tournament 2011: Finals Preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The dust settled on Thursday night, and Saturday afternoon in Katy will settle which school will take the 2011 Southland Conference Tournament Championship, along with a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Last year's champion, Sam Houston St. Bearkats, were done in by the #7 seed Texas--San Antonio Roadrunners. With the help of a 2-3 zone, they forced the Bearkats into shooting a ton of three-pointers over the zone. They'll take on the #1 seed McNeese St. Cowboys, winners of 10 of their last 13 games. These two teams met just once on the season: a 65-61 UTSA win in San Antonio.</p>
<p>These two teams are almost complete opposites when it comes to the makeup of their starting lineups. The Roadrunners probably enjoy the advantage of having the best player on the floor in senior guard Devin Gibson. He's the classic small-conference creator, except he's actually a pretty good passer as well. He didn't notch a triple double against Northwestern State in the tourney opener for nothing. The Cowboys rely on a more balanced attack. Between Patrick Richard, Diego Kapelan, and Stephan Martin, they have three players that can fill it up from the perimeter. The Cowboys start four seniors and a junior, and the Roadrunners have one senior, two juniors, a sophomore, and a freshman. </p>
<p>Neither team actually plays much defense, although McNeese State was able to silence Texas State guard Ryan Hill in the semifinal game after he'd dominated in the opening round. Both teams take a plurality of their shots from beyond the three-point arc, and both get to the free throw line a lot as well.</p>
<p>There aren't really too many differences between the teams on paper. UTSA is a little more turnover prone, but also a bit better at hitting three-pointers. This projects to be an up-and-down game with high offensive efficiency. As long as the Roadrunners are able to keep their turnovers to a minimum, they should be in the game.</p>
<p>As much as I'd like to say that UTSA is the better bet, because I'd love some Texas team to actually win a conference we're covering here, it's going to be awfully hard to shut down a team with McNeese State's weaponry. To go to the conference tournament and beat the top three seeds? That's a pretty tall task. I wouldn't be surprised if the Roadrunners won, but the smart money is on the Cowboys to represent the Southland in The Big Dance. Give it a look on ESPN2 tomorrow, starting at 3 PM CT.</p>
<p><b>Wednesday</b></p>
<p><s>2 Northwestern St. Demons 96</s> vs. 7 UTSA Roadrunners 97<br>3 Sam Houston St. BearKats 61vs.<s> 6 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks 45</s><br>1 McNeese St. Cowboys 61 vs. <s>8 Nicholls St. Colonels 54</s><br>4 Texas St Bobcats 72 vs.<s> 5 Southeastern Louisiana LIons 68</s></p>
<p><b>Thursday</b></p>
<p>7 UTSA Roadrunners 79 vs. <s>3 Sam Houston St. BearKats 70</s><br>1 McNeese St. Cowboys 91 vs. <s>4 Texas St. Bobcats 83</s></p>
<p><b>Saturday</b></p>
<p>7 UTSA Roadrunners vs. 1 McNeese St. Cowboys -- 3 PM, ESPN2</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/12/2045873/southland-conference-basketball-championship-2011-bracket-resultsRivers McCown2011-03-10T22:48:08-06:002011-03-10T22:48:08-06:00Southland Conference Tournament 2011: Top Seeded McNeese State Advances To Final
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/mcneese-st-cowboys">McNeese St. Cowboys</a> easily dispatched the Texas St. Bobcats behind an efficient offensive attack that the Bobcats had no answer for. McNeese State shot 48% and committed just four turnovers in the 91-83 cakewalk that was not as close as the final score. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29548/p-j-alawoya">P.J. Alawoya</a>, Patrick Richard, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29544/c-j-collins">C.J. Collins</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29550/daniel-richard">Daniel Richard</a>, and Diego Capelan all topped double figures as the Cowboys opened up an eight point lead before halftime and never looked back.</p>
<p>The Bobcats played a determined game, but the Cowboys shut down senior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29764/ryan-white">Ryan White</a>. After scoring 26 points in the Bobcats victory over Southeast Louisiana, White had just 16 points in this game on 4-10 shooting. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29765/cameron-johnson">Cameron Johnson</a> hit just 3-13 shots as well, though he hit the free throw line early and often to get up to 13 points. The Bobcats finish the season 16-16.</p>
<p>With the win, McNeese State sets a date for the Southland Conference Tournament Final on Saturday with Texas-San Antonio. The game will be played Saturday at 3 PM CT, and will be broadcast on ESPN2. SB Nation Houston will have a preview up before the game, and the winner will grab the automatic bid to the <span class="caps">NCAA</span> Tournament.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/10/2043593/southland-conference-tournament-2011-top-seeded-mcneese-stateRivers McCown2011-03-10T20:11:39-06:002011-03-10T20:11:39-06:00Southland Conference Tournament 2011: Roadrunners Knock Off Sam Houston State
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29702/devin-gibson">Devin Gibson</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/texas-san-antonio-roadrunners">Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners</a> knocked off another higher seed in the opening game of the Southland Conference Tournament Semifinals as they pulled away from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/sam-houston-st-bearkats">Sam Houston St. Bearkats</a>, 79-70. The BearKats had just 33 second-half points and could not solve the Roadrunners 2-3 zone, they wound up shooting 8-of-36 from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>Gibson flirted with another triple double, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29531/sei-paye">Sei Paye</a> added 12 off the bench in just 5 shots. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124510/jeromie-hill">Jeromie Hill</a> didn’t do much on offense, but did a great job fronting Sam Houston State’s bigs inside to prevent the BearKats from getting the ball inside.</p>
<p>Sam Houston State only turned the ball over six times, but they shot just 35.3% from the floor. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100997/gilberto-clavell">Gilberto Clavell</a> was dominant inside with 25 points and six rebounds. Unfortunately, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29618/josten-crow">Josten Crow</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53685/lance-pevehouse">Lance Pevehouse</a> combined to make just five of 24 three-pointers over the zone.</p>
<p><span class="caps">UTSA</span> advances to the Southland Conference Tournament Final where they will face the winner of tonight’s McNeese State-Texas State game. The game will be played on Saturday at 3 PM. The winner will go to the <span class="caps">NCAA</span> Tournament.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/10/2043343/southland-conference-tournament-2011-roadrunners-knock-off-samRivers McCown2011-03-10T08:21:19-06:002011-03-10T08:21:19-06:00Southland Conference Tournament 2011: Three Texas Teams In Action Today
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Action will reset tonight in Katy as the Southland Conference Tourney reconvenes after a first day that mostly played out the way the seeds said they should. Outside of Texas-San Antonio’s startling comeback on Northwestern State, that is. Things will kick off at 6 P.M. as the Roadrunners of <span class="caps">UTSA</span> take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/sam-houston-st-bearkats">Sam Houston St. Bearkats</a>, who were never really challenged in an easy defeat of Stephen F. Austin.</p>
<p>The nightcap at 8:30 will feature the top-seeded <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/mcneese-st-cowboys">McNeese St. Cowboys</a> taking on the #4 seed Texas St. Bobcats. Both teams won nailbiters last night that involved them coming back from decent-sized leads by their opponents. It looks like things have set up pretty well for a Sam Houston-McNeese final on Saturday, but that’s why they play the games. Here’s the schedule and bracket so far:</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday</strong></p>
<p><strike>2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/northwestern-st-demons">Northwestern St. Demons</a> 96</strike> vs. 7 <span class="caps">UTSA</span> Roadrunners 97<br>
3 Sam Houston St. BearKats 61vs. <strike>6 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/stephen-f-austin-lumberjacks">Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks</a> 45</strike><br>
1 McNeese St. Cowboys 61 vs. <strike>8 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nicholls-st-colonels">Nicholls St. Colonels</a> 54</strike><br>
4 Texas St Bobcats 72 vs. <strike>5 Southeastern Louisiana LIons 68</strike></p>
<p><strong>Thursday</strong></p>
<p>7 <span class="caps">UTSA</span> Roadrunners vs. 3 Sam Houston St. BearKats — 6 PM<br>
1 McNeese St. Cowboys vs. 4 Texas St. Bobcats — 8:30 PM</p>
<p><strong>Saturday</strong></p>
<p>Championship — 3 PM</p>
<p>Both games will be broadcast on <span class="caps">SLC</span> TV, which is available to stream online <a href="http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=204968565&SPID=10825&SPSID=100570&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=18400&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=" target="new">through the conference’s website</a>.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/10/2041853/southland-basketball-tournament-2011-time-tv-channelRivers McCown2011-03-09T22:27:26-06:002011-03-09T22:27:26-06:00Bobcats, White, Use Second Half Surge To Beat Lions
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After trailing by five at halftime, the Texas St. Bobcats turned on the jets and put up 44 points in a huge second half that let them pull away from the Southeastern Louisiana Lions. The win gave Texas State a birth in the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals, which will be played tomorrow. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29764/ryan-white" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan White</a> led the way for the Bobcats, scoring 26 points. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/101440/tony-bishop" class="sbn-auto-link">Tony Bishop</a> chipped in 18 points on just seven shots.</p>
<p>The Bobcats really won this game from the free throw line. The Lions made just 11 of their 16 attempts, while the Bobcats were able knock down 21 of 24. Four players were in double figures for the Lions, led by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100999/trent-hutchin" class="sbn-auto-link">Trent Hutchin</a>’s 15, but it was not meant to be for Southeastern Louisiana, who finish the season 15-14 with a 9-7 record in the Southland Conference.</p>
<p>The fourth seeded Bobcats will draw #1 seed McNeese St in the nightcap of tomorrow’s two semifinal games. Tip is at 8:30 PM CT, and that’s a wrap for today as the higher seeds were able to maintain order outside of Northwestern State.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/9/2041335/bobcats-white-use-second-half-surge-to-beat-lionsRivers McCown2011-03-09T19:47:53-06:002011-03-09T19:47:53-06:00McNeese State Squeezes By Nicholls State, 61-54
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/mcneese-st-cowboys">McNeese St. Cowboys</a> fought off a couple of furious rallies by the eighth seeded <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/nicholls-st-colonels">Nicholls St. Colonels</a> to hold off and win a game that was tight throughout. With the win they advance to the Southland Conference Semifinals. The Colonels started the game on a 7-1 run, but gradually the top seeded Cowboys got back into the game behind their balanced attack. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29535/diego-kapelan">Diego Kapelan</a>, Patrick Richard, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29544/c-j-collins">C.J. Collins</a> all scored in double figures for the Cowboys, as did reserve guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29543/stephan-martin">Stephan Martin</a>.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29580/anatoly-bose">Anatoly Bose</a> was dominant in the loss, with a game-high 25 points on 8-16 shooting, as well as nine rebounds. Outside of Bose and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124029/chris-talkington">Chris Talkington</a>, no other Colonel scored more than six points in the loss. Nicholls State finishes the season with a perfectly even 14-14 record, including 8-8 in conference.</p>
<p>McNeese State will face the winner of the Texas St. Bobcats – Southeastern Louisiana Lions game, which will tip shortly from Katy. They’ll be in the late semi-final game tomorrow at 8:30 PM CT.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/9/2041017/mcneese-state-squeezes-by-nicholls-state-61-54Rivers McCown2011-03-09T16:13:17-06:002011-03-09T16:13:17-06:00Bearkats Put Lumberjacks In An Early Hole That They Never Recover From
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/31pUoLi4JWTyFcdN7Qz5cKCdRMg=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828119/large_houston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span class="caps">KATY</span>, TX — The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/sam-houston-st-bearkats">Sam Houston St. Bearkats</a> jumped out to an early 12-2 lead and they never looked back as they pummeled the sixth seeded <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/stephen-f-austin-lumberjacks">Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks</a> in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament, 61-45. The Lumberjacks did not have the offensive firepower to get back into the game, as they shot just 40% from the field and never cut the lead below six.</p>
<p>SHSU’s <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100997/gilberto-clavell">Gilberto Clavell</a> led all scorers with 20 points and was unstoppable, making nine of 12 shots. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29618/josten-crow">Josten Crow</a> chipped in with 11 points, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124241/nafis-richardson">Nafis Richardson</a> came off the bench for 10 more. Eddie Williams paced the Lumberjacks with 11 points in his last game of his <span class="caps">SFA</span> career.</p>
<p>The Bearkats have advanced to the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament, where they will face the <span class="caps">UTSA</span> Roadrunners. The game will take place Thursday at 6 PM CT, from Katy’s Merell Center.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-cougars/2011/3/9/2040603/bearkats-put-lumberjacks-in-an-early-hole-that-they-never-recover-fromRivers McCown