Senior forward Onochie Ochie denies a Nicholls Colonel  during the same game. Ochie finished the game with 10 rebounds and four blocks. 
The Lion’s Roar / Maria Goddard

The Lions basketball team missed the win, 75-69 against the Nicholls State University Colonels for Senior Day and a Southland Conference game. Despite the loss, the Lions made it into the Conference tournament. 

Southeastern was defeated at its home front in the University Center on Saturday.

Seniors honored were guard Cedric Jenkins of LaPlace, Louisiana, center DeVonte Upson of Amarillo, Texas and forward Onochie Ochie of Albany, Georgia. Their friends and family members came to show their pride and support of their Lions.

“Overall, I think he did pretty good,” said Derrick Carter of Amarillo, Texas who came to support the Lions and his nephew, Upson. “It didn’t go like we wanted it to [because there were] too many turnovers. They just outplayed us tonight. We didn’t execute like they did.”

Head coach Jay Ladner also wished the outcome had been different.

“I am very disappointed,” said Ladner. “Not in our effort, but I wanted those three seniors to win tonight. We [have] got to shoot better and play better defense. We just lost another close game [and] can’t seem to find a break anywhere.” 

Jenkins stole the show by leading the team with 24 total points. 

“My goal is always to do whatever it takes for my team to win,” said Jenkins. “It’s been fortunate that I have been able to make a few more shots than usual. The game was there for us to win. We just had to dig deep and keep fighting.” 

Upson put his fight in by leading in rebounds, catching 11 and adding 18 to the team’s total points. Daniel Grieves followed close by contributing 16 total points and three steals. At the end of the first half, Grieves sped away from the defense and scored with the clock reading 0:20. 

After halftime and encouragement from Ladner, the team tried to rebound from falling behind. 

“[He said] we could have had a little bit more intensity,” said Jenkins. “It seems like every game we have a spell and go into a drought where we get off the game plan. I’m still confident enough to try to make some noise in the tournament.”

Junior guard Jimmie Duplessis boosted his personal intensity with five turnovers and performed his career high of nine assists. 

Overall, the team made 44.8 percent of regular shots, 27.8 percent of three-point shots and 60 percent of free throws, but it still was not enough to beat the Colonels. 

Southeastern showed its fight by not letting up and deciding to play with strength until the buzzer sounded. 

“I am proud of our guys,” said Ladner. “They continue to fight and battle. Most teams, given the situation, would have thrown the towel in and quit. [However], they’re right there every game.”

Grieves made the last shot of the game for the Lions during the second half with 17 seconds on the clock before he fell backwards to the floor. 

Ironically enough, the three seniors honored at the game will be the same three who will honor the team with their leadership in the finals. 

“We’re at the end of the regular season and we’re going to our Conference tournament,” said Ladner.  “We have to play much better if we’re going to survive. Our strengths are our inside people DeVonte Upson, Ochie and Cedric Jenkins. [They] will have to carry us and we will be relying heavily on those players.”

The Lions will play against McNeese State University the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Katy, Texas. For more information, visit lionsports.net.