Sophomore guard Tyler Morrison helped her team on the defense with three steals and controlled the pace of the game by grabbing 11 rebounds. The Lady Lions have won their first back-to-back games since the 2014-15 season. Jonathan Rhodes/The Lion’s Roar

The Lady Lions basketball team held on to defeat the Northwestern State University Lady Demons 71-65 after being up by as much as 20 points in the first half. This victory is the second conference win of the season and the first back-to-back victories since the 2014-15 season.

“We’re on a two-game winning streak,” said Head Coach Ayla Guzzardo. “I’m excited. It’s something that Southeastern is not used to doing. Anytime that we can build some confidence and get some momentum going, it helps.”

The two wins are also the first two under Guzzardo.

“I’m only as good as the people around me,” said Guzzardo. “I’m very blessed to have a great staff, the three that I brought in including the assistants that I had before. My flaws are their strengths, and the same way around. Their weaknesses are my strengths. I cannot do this without them.”

Junior guard Jaclyn Scholvin led the team in scoring with 13 points followed by sophomore guard Charliee Dugas and junior forward Jyar Francis with 12 points each.

The Lady Demons pulled the game within four points in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Lions extended their lead to six, thanks to a clutch jump shot made by junior guard Ashailee Brailey.

Dugas was happy to win their first game this season at the University Center.

“We just stayed together and played as a team,” said Dugas. “We did not fold under the pressure or turn the ball over. We just played team ball. I am happy that we got this win. The team is doing good playing together. It’s a good feeling.”

Sophomore guard Tyler Morrison led the team in rebounds with 11. Senior guard Taylin Underwood led the team with six assists and was tied with Morrison with three steals.

Guzzardo believes Morrison and Underwood were key players in this game and said they offer more to the team than just stats.

“Taylin did not show it on the scoreboard, but that kid played her butt off,” said Guzzardo. “She got her teammates involved. She shared the ball and got two great blocks in the first half. She got steals. She just played great basketball. Tyler Morrison was an unsung hero. She only had about eight or 10 points, but she gets it done on the defensive end, and she is controlling our offense and controlling our pace. Those two have been keys for us.”

The Lady Lions’ next matchup is against Sam Houston State in the University Center on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. The first 300 students will receive a promotional item to “Pack the House,” and there will be a Cane’s Challenge.

Guzzardo likes the attitude that the team has been showing in recent games.

“I’m happy,” said Guzzardo. “This is our second game where we are playing like I know we know how. We are sharing this ball and getting a whole lot of touches to the whole team, and they’re coming together and putting the shots in the hole. It is hard to make open shots. No one understands how hard it is to make an open shot. But, they have the confidence. They have been working hard in practice, and they have been working hard on their own. They have all of the confidence in the world, and that is going to help us against a pretty good Sam Houston team on Wednesday.”