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After its best season in nearly a decade, the Northwestern State women’s basketball team got an invitation Sunday night to play in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, one of 48 teams picked for the event.

The bracket setting 24 first-round games and locations will be released today. The tournament starts Thursday night at campus sites.

“I am extremely excited for our women’s basketball program to have the ability and opportunity to play in the postseason for the first time since 2016,” NSU athletics director Kevin Bostian said. “Our program has a decorated history with the WNIT, and I look forward to this year’s team adding to that legacy.

“Congratulations to Coach (Anna) Nimz, her staff and our players for the great year they have had. The NSU administration thanks the WNIT for inviting us to play and allowing our seniors the opportunity to extend their careers and continue to represent Northwestern State.”

Two other SLC members — Lamar and UIW — are also taking part in the WNIT. So .is Louisiana Tech, coached by Brooke Stoehr, who led the last Lady Demon squad to reach postseason in 2016, a 69-54 loss at UL Lafayette in the Women’s Basketball Invitational.

The last time Northwestern competed in the WNIT was in 1999 after a SLC regular season championship, as the Lady Demons traveled to Arkansas.

“We are incredibly excited to accept an invite to play in the post-season WNIT,” Nimz said. “I’m proud of our group. They put themselves in a position to extend our season and keep fighting.

“This team continues to move the program forward and build excitement around Lady Demon basketball.”

This is the fifth trip to the WNIT for NSU, with a 6-4 record in the event – including a championship game loss to Idaho in 1986 after wins over Tennessee Tech and Duke.

This season’s 16-15 record and tie for fourth in the 12-team Southland standings is a remarkable turnaround for Nimz, who took the job during COVID and went 1-19 in her first season and has led to its first winning season in nearly a decade.

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – There is a message Northwestern State third baseman Rocco Gump gives pitcher Trent Hillen before every inning.

“Every time I get on the mound, Rocco looks at me and says, ‘We’ve got you, and you’ve got us,’” Hillen said.

Gump made that comment nine times Sunday afternoon in the series finale of a three-game Southland Conference series as Hillen spun a complete-game, four-hit shutout of homestanding Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in an 8-0 series-clinching victory for the Demons (11-8, 5-4), who won for the fifth time in six games.

NSU pitchers Dylan Marionneaux and Carter White combined for a shutout in the series opener Friday night, a 5-0 Demon victory. The Islanders prevailed Saturday 5-2.

In spinning Northwestern’s first solo complete-game shutout in more than two years, Hillen struck out five and threw 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes.

Hillen (3-1) capped his second straight win with a final-pitch called third strike.

“In the bullpen, (my stuff) was kind of iffy,” Hillen said. “I felt like I was off after the first inning. I figured it out, got downhill and let my defense work. I didn’t feel I had my best stuff until later in the game. I just let my defense work and show out.”

Hillen retired seven straight and 10 of 11 batters from the fourth inning forward.

NSU’s Clay Jung’s second-inning home run stood as the lone tally until the Demons broke the game open against Corpus Christi (8-13, 1-5). Four Islanders relievers combined to walk seven Demons in four innings as Northwestern scored seven runs in its final four at-bats, including three straight two-run innings from the sixth through the eighth.

Hillen’s four-hitter was NSU’s first complete-game shutout since Cal Carver blanked Alabama A&M on March 10, 2023. It is Northwestern’s first complete-game shutout of a Southland Conference opponent since Nathan Jones did so at Stephen F. Austin on April 27, 2019.

The Demons continue their seven-game road trip Tuesday, visiting Grambling at 6 p.m., then go to play UNO next weekend in a three-game conference series.

 SOFTBALL:  Powerful McNeese swept visiting Northwestern in a three-game SLC series, although the Demons were extremely competitive in the first two games. The Cowgirls prevailed 6-4, 4-1 and 14-1 over the nation’s youngest team. NSU hosts Southeastern in a three-game series beginning Friday.

TRACK:  The Lady Demons’ Southland Conference Indoor Championship women’s track and field team picked up some honors as voted by SLC coaches. Senior sprinter Maygan Shaw was named Southland Indoor Female Athlete of the Year, junior sprinter/hurdler Dynia Lewis won Co-Newcomer of the Year honors, and for the third consecutive year, Mike Heimerman was chosen SLC Indoor Coach of the Year.  The outdoor season begins next Saturday at LSU.

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NATCHITOCHES – Texas Street will be closed to all traffic at a location just east of the intersection of the Highway 1 Bypass, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17, for emergency repairs to a damaged sewer main.

Traffic must detour via adjacent City and State routes, including the Highway 1 Bypass and North Natchitoches Bypass.

The duration of the closure is unknown at this time.

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TIME CHANGE

To the Natchitoches Parish Citizens that received a summons to appear for Jury Service on Monday March 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM TODAY,  please be at the courtroom at 1:00 PM.

Jury selection will begin at 1:00 PM instead of 9:00 AM.

The 10 Judicial District appreciates your service to community.

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Ms. Ayla Smith was awarded a scholarship Sunday, March 16 at the monthly meeting of FUMC Natchitoches’ United Methodist Men. Ms. Smith is a senior at NCHS and will be attending NSU, majoring in Nursing. Ms. Smith was joined at the award ceremony by Ms. Lindsay Session, FUMC Youth Director.

The $1,000.00 per year scholarship is named in honor of the late Raymond Christensen. Mr. Christensen was stalwart of FUMC Natchitoches and a former United Methodist Men president. He was also a tireless supporter of the church’s blood drives.

Ayla Smith is eminently deserving of the Raymond Christensen Scholarship. The Natchitoches Parish Journal extends its best wishes to her in her studies and for a successful Nursing career

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Northwestern State University is set to host a thought-provoking forum next week that will explore the practical applications of artificial intelligence in leadership and industry.

Featuring distinguished experts Dr. Julian Bailes, Dr. Neilank Jha and Monty Chicola, Leadership in the Age of AI will take place  next Wednesday, March 19, at 5:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. This event is free and open to the public.

As NSU continues to establish itself as a leader in artificial intelligence and innovation, this forum will highlight real-world applications of AI in fields such as technology, medicine and business. Attendees will gain insights from distinguished professionals who have leveraged AI to drive advancements in their respective industries.

“Artificial intelligence is a leading topic at the forefront of both business and healthcare conversations and this is a great opportunity to learn from pioneers who are driving its use,” said Willis Knighton Health CEO Jaf Fielder.

Forum highlights:

• Dr. Neilank Jha, newly appointed NSU Distinguished Professor in Leadership & Neuroeconomics, will discuss his unique multidisciplinary approach to leadership, integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. Dr. Jha, a renowned neurosurgeon and behavioral economist, will begin teaching special topics courses at NSU this fall.
• Dr. Julian Bailes, a Natchitoches native and NSU alumnus who is a renowned neurosurgeon, will share insights on brain health, sports-related injuries and the role of AI in advancing medical research. Bailes has been named one of Chicago Magazine’s “Top Brain Surgeons in Chicago” for 10 consecutive years.
• Monty Chicola, NSU alumnus and founder of Real Vision Software, will provide an overview of his work in AI-driven enterprise computing and discuss the IBM i programming course he is currently teaching at NSU, which focuses on practical AI integration in business applications. His software company is now upgrading customers worldwide on how to make serious returns on investments in AI, today and moving into the future. He will be discussing the business case uses for AI in different office environments, including medical, transportation, government, insurance and manufacturing sectors.

“Artificial intelligence is already transforming the healthcare industry, and it’s critical for medical professionals and administrators to understand its impact,” said Natchitoches Regional Medical Center CEO Kirk Soileau. “This forum is a great opportunity for our team and the broader community to hear from experts on the forefront of AI’s integration into medicine, business, and technology.”

The forum also coincides with NSU’s recent announcement of the Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair, aimed at attracting top talent in interdisciplinary studies, reinforcing the university’s dedication to excellence in research and education.

For more information on Leadership in the Age of AI and to register for this free event, visit www.nsu.la/leadershipAI. 

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LAKE CHARLES – Natchitoches Central was in good shape Thursday night against No. 1-ranked Zachary in the boys high school basketball state semifinals, until the Chiefs weren’t.

NCHS had the upper hand for most of the first half, leading by as many as seven. But Zachary closed the half charging and picked up where it left off on the way to a 65-45 victory in the LHSAA’s Non-Select Division I semifinal at Marsh Madness in Burton Coliseum, with a large crowd of Chief fans looking on.

Leading 25-18, Natchitoches Central got a hot start from senior Jaden Braden and junior Ja’Dell Demery, who combined for 23 first-half points. But Zachary closed the second quarter with a 10-2 burst and carried a 28-27 edge into halftime.

That was the start of a game-altering 22-6 run by the Broncs into a 40-31 lead, and it didn’t stop there. Zachary kept blasting away and NCHS was on the struggle bus, outscored 37-18 in the final two periods.

The Chiefs shot 28 percent (5-18) after halftime following 45 percent (10-22) first-half aim. Zachary sank 53 percent for the game, 56 percent (14-25) while taking control after halftime.

Braden finished with 18 points and Demery had 16 for the Chiefs, who finished with a 25-6 record and their eighth trip to the semifinals in 13 seasons.

The team captured the District 1-5A championship after getting all the way to the state finals in a surprising run last season.

Zachary (27-6) will play for its third state title in five years Saturday night when it takes on Central of Baton Rouge.

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Northwestern State baseball team jumps back into Southland Conference play this weekend, opening a season-long seven-game road trip.

The Demons carry with them the momentum of a five-game win streak – all of which came during a five-game homestand that ended Tuesday with an 11-1 run-rule win against Grambling.

As Northwestern (9-7, 3-3) starts a three-game Southland series at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (7-11, 0-3) at 6 p.m. today at Chapman Field, it does so looking to take not only the good feelings from the homestand but also lessons learned from previous road trips at then-No. 24 Troy and Southeastern Louisiana.

This weekend’s series also includes a Saturday 2 p.m. matchup and a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee. All three games are available to view through ESPN+.

“We’re looking forward to what the challenge brings us,” second-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “Another road trip, another lengthy road trip. Our guys getting acclimated to that stuff. Playing on a natural surface and adjusting to that. Playing in what we’re assuming will be a very windy atmosphere and higher temperatures. There are plenty of lessons to be learned, and we’re hopeful we can bring the execution and brand of baseball that has taken place as of late and put those together.”

SOFTBALL: Northwestern hits the road for the first time in conference play this weekend when it takes on McNeese is a three-game series beginning this evening in Lake Charles.

The first game of the weekend set is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight with Saturday serving as the doubleheader day beginning at 1 p.m. All games will air live on ESPN+ from Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond.

The series with McNeese (14-13, 1-2) signals the beginning of the toughest two-week conference stretch of the season for the Demons (3-21, 0-3). After the three games in Lake Charles, the Demons return home to host Southeastern the following weekend. Those two teams split 18 of the 20 total first-place votes in the preseason SLC coaches’ poll and have won the past four SLC Tournament championships.

The young majority of NSU’s young roster got its first taste of conference play this past weekend against HCU, but the first road conference game has yet to crossed off the list during the year of many firsts for the new Demons – with 11 freshmen, the country’s youngest team.

Midway through the 2025 schedule, NSU first-year coach Jeny fuller is continuing to see players develop, find their way and adjust to play at this level. 

There have been 14 games so far this year where 12 or more non-pitchers were used in a game and four times this year, including on Tuesday night against Baylor, where 14 non-pitchers were used in a game.

TENNIS:  The Lady Demons are getting the weekend off because their non-conference match Saturday at Tarleton State has been cancelled. NSU won’t play again until putting its 4-0 Southland Conference record on the line March 22 at Incarnate Word.

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TIME CHANGE

To the Natchitoches Parish Citizens that received a summons to appear for Jury Service on Monday March 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM,  please be at the courtroom at 1:00 PM.

Jury selection will begin at 1:00 PM instead of 9:00 AM.

The 10 Judicial District appreciates your service to community.

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From pushups to navigation and knot tying, approximately 100 area high school Junior ROTC Cadets got outside their comfort zones and enjoyed Northwestern State’s Army ROTC’s third annual Demon Challenge, Friday, March 7. The cadets from NCHS and 9 other high schools spent a fun day competing in a series of events designed to test their fitness, resiliency, and leadership skills. The day started with cadets completing an orienteering course that took them across the NSU campus. They then went on to test their fitness in a series of timed events such as pushups, sprint, drag, throw and planking.

After a superb BBQ lunch supplied by NSU ROTC, the high school cadets competed in a two mile ruck march where they raced in two person teams carrying packs with 20lb weights. The teams also competed in knot tying. The Demon Challenge was a superb opportunity for our area’s young people to test themselves, learn, and grow.

Both Northwestern State University and the university’s Army ROTC program represent a tremendous opportunity for our area’s young people to build a solid future for themselves. The Natchitoches Parish Journal commends all of the high school students who came out, the NSU cadets, college students themselves not much older than the high school students, and the young soldiers, NCOs and officers who helped make the Demon Challenge a well-run and fun event. Our nation’s young people are capable of so much more than they get credit for. The Natchitoches Parish Journal is looking forward to seeing some of those superb young people building their future at NSU after they finish high school. Fork ‘em Demons!

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Approximately 25 area industry, higher education, and government leaders from businesses, Northwestern State University, and community organizations gathered at the Natchitoches Events Center Wednesday, March 12 for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s LABI State Legislative Issues Luncheon.

The event, sponsored by Northwestern State University, featured LABI president and CEO Will Green. Green, an NSU alumni, spoke of the challenges facing our state and region and of the progress made and of work still to do. He also spoke of LABI’s legislative priorities in the areas of taxation, education, government efficiency and transparency, workforce development and insurance reform.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is recognized as the state’s chamber of commerce and works closely with local chambers of commerce throughout Louisiana to advocate for a business friendly environment for our state.

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Join Marvin as he visits with David about the Clerk’s office and the upcoming election.

Special thanks to Rodney & Eddie Harrington, Lance Lopez – Farm Bureau, Sharpco Hotel Group and Pat Johnson.

Paid Content

 

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Despite a strong showing in doubles play, the Northwestern State Lady Demons came up short Wednesday against Rhode Island, falling 4-2 at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

“I think it was a good match,” Northwestern coach Marcos Morelli said. “I’m proud of how the team competed and the fight they showed in key moments.”

A short-handed NSU lineup captured both doubles matches and battled hard in singles action but could not overcome key setbacks in the non-conference match. The outcome snapped a four-match win streak for the Lady Demons (4-6), who lead the Southland Conference with a perfect 4-0 record in league contests.

The home team started the afternoon on a high note in doubles, securing the first point with back-to-back victories.

Due to injuries that left them unable to field a No. 3 team, the Lady Demons had to capture both matches to earn the opening point.

The tandem of Zoi Spyrou and Honoka Umeda displayed resilience at No. 1 doubles, overcoming a 3-0 deficit to edge out Nikki Fernando and Katharina Spieth 7-5 in a lengthy battle filled with momentum shifts. The Lady Demons duo took the final four games to clinch the doubles point.

Pika Doberlet and Maria Farina had displayed great chemistry and aggressive net play, cruising to a 6-2 win at the No. 2 spot.

The match became tied at 1-1 beginning singles after the Lady Demons defaulted at No. 6 since they were able to send out only five players. In her No. 3 slot, Farina was forced to withdraw due to injury and the Rams (9-2) took a 2-1 lead.

Spyrou fought through long rallies in singles play but fell to URI’s Spieth 6-4, 6-1 in the No. 1 spot as Rhode Island opened a 3-1 advantage.

In the No. 5 position, NSU’s Valeria Ortega put up a fight but ultimately fell 6-3, 6-1 to Anastasia Pettersson and the visitors clinched the match with their fourth point.

The lone singles victory came from Umeda, who delivered an impressive performance, controlling the second set for a 7-5, 6-1 triumph over Sophie Herrman.

Doberlet was in the middle of a tight battle with Grace Darcy, having claimed a first-set tiebreak 7-6 (7-0) and leading 3-2 in the second when the match was left unfinished at the No. 4 spot due to URI’s travel plans.

“Every match is important,” said Morelli. “Each one is an opportunity to improve. Today, we needed to be more consistent in singles, but overall, I’m proud of the girls. They competed hard and gave great effort.”

The Lady Demons travel to Stephenville, Texas, to take on Tarleton State in a non-conference 11 a.m. match Saturday.

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Over 165 students from more than 20 schools in Northern Louisiana competed at the Louisiana Region I Science and Engineering Fair held Saturday, March 8 at college in Bossier City. East Natchitoches Elementary School made their usual impressive showing, bringing 22 young scientists under science teachers Lori Bertrand, Brittani Fields and BBLC teacher Tiffani Jackson. The students at the Regional Fair were the top finishers among the competitors at their school’s science fair. It should be noted that once again East Natchitoches Elementary School was the only school from our parish to send a group to compete. That is a remarkable achievement that speaks well of the students, their families, and their teachers.

As a writer for the Natchitoches Parish Journal and a former teacher in one of the poorest parishes in the state, I have long maintained that there are talented and intelligent children in each and every one of our parish’s schools. They will rise to any challenge placed before them. All they need is leadership. It is quite evident that Principal Chrystal Davis and the faculty and staff of East Natchitoches Elementary School share that belief. It is long past time for every single public school in the parish to have students competing at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

Of the 22 students from East Natchitoches Elementary School who competed at the fair, 12 of them won honors with several earning multiple awards.  Brooklyn Rogers, Harmony Remo, LaMaya Wright and Aiden Alacorn will go on to represent our parish at the state science fair to be held in Baton Rouge later this month.

Six East Natchitoches Eagles won Special Awards at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair. LaMaya Wright earned the NASA Earth System Science Award and an award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Aiden Alacorn earned an award from the Shreveport Geological Society and Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge. Jurnee Telsee, Gabrielle Howard and La’Niya Johnson earned an award from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Brooklyn Rogers earned an award from the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to commend the faculty and staff of East Natchitoches Elementary School for all their hard work in providing this wonderful opportunity to the children entrusted to you. We also extend our best wishes to the young men and women who will represent our community at the state Science Fair. Go Eagles!

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Northwestern State’s baseball team received strong performances from all facets, as it rolled to an 11-1 run-rule victory over Grambling on Tuesday evening at Brown-Stroud Field for its fifth straight victory.

The Demons (9-7) allowed just two hits and received contributions throughout the lineup, as they controlled the game from the outset.

“I am impressed with the complete nature of what took place,” head coach Chris Bertrand said. “I told the guys in the locker room even before the game started that I thought we had one of the best, if not the best practice of the entire season, as we prepared for the game. From the time we stretched at 3:30 until we got the last out, I am proud of the entire body of work that took place. I am proud of the entire ball club, from top to bottom.

“In all three phases, it was a complete and complementary baseball game.”

Eight of the nine Demons in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit, as Bryce Johnson cracked a home run to cap off a four-run inning in the third to bust the game wide open.

The Demons return to action Friday when they travel to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for a weekend series with the Islanders before a return trip to Grambling on March 18.

SOFTBALL:  A low-scoring game through four innings broke open on late Baylor offensive surge in an 11-2 win against Northwestern on Tuesday night.

A Riley Schwisow solo home run in the bottom of the second inning evened the game at one run each as the Demons (3-21) and starting pitcher Brooklynn Stohler kept visiting Baylor (12-13) in check through nearly five full innings.

A critical error with the bases loaded allowed two runs to score, opening the door for a string of hits and runs to follow. Baylor put up 10 runs in the final three innings, including a five-run seventh, creating the deceiving final score.

TENNIS:  The Lady Demons are riding a four-match win streak heading into today’s 11 a.m. home match against Rhode Island, coached by former NSU head and assistant coach Jonas Brobeck. He was an assistant from 2018-20 and head coach from 2020-22, leading the program to a Southland Conference championship in his final spring.

Northwestern (4-5 overall, 4-0 in the Southland) took control of the league race Monday with a 4-3 homecourt win over defending champion Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which lost to a SLC foe for the first time in 29 matches dating back to 2022.

It’s the first outdoor match of the season for Brobek’s second Rams team. They went 14-7, a seven win increase, in his first season at URI.

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LAKE CHARLES — Senior Mya Blake poured in 29 points, but the Northwestern State women’s basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 69-54 loss to No. 4 UIW on Monday afternoon at the Legacy Center in the quarterfinals of the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Demons (16-15) ended a turnaround season that was the program’s best in a decade.

“I am incredibly grateful for this entire team,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “We weren’t the better team today, but these girls did a lot of things this season that haven’t been done in a decade. There’s a lot to be really proud of, and that is what I am taking away from this game and this tournament. We didn’t want to go out the way we did today, but hats off to UIW.”

A team that shot under 30 percent from deep in both overall and during conference play, UIW (18-12) made seven 3-pointers in the first half, including going 4-of-6 in the first quarter to set the tone for the game.

UIW averaged less than five 3-pointers per game but exploded for nine triples in 20 attempts Tuesday.

Every time Northwestern State made a run to cut into the Cardinals lead, UIW had an answer.

UIW started hot, making four of its first five 3-point shots, all from four different players, to build a 14-6 lead, before the Demons fought back, scoring the final five points of the quarter off a 3-pointer from Blake and layup from Sharna Ayres.

The Cardinals used a run in the second quarter to gain separation, and never allowed the Demons to seriously threaten afterward. The No. 4 seed stormed out to a 35-25 halftime advantage.

The lead grew to 13 at 41-28 early in the third quarter, before a pair of Ayres free throws and a Blake 3-pointer cut the deficit to six points just past the midway point of the third quarter, but that was as close as it got rest of the way.

UIW embarked on a run to seal it, going on a 9-0 spurt to blow the game open.

The final basket was a historic one for the Demons, as Ayres buried a triple to cut it to 50-42, the 213th made 3-pointer for Northwestern State this season, a new school record. Individually, Ayres finished her career in third place in career made 3-pointers at Northwestern State.

Outside of Blake, freshman of the year Vernell Atamah scored 10 points, the only other Demon in double figures.

UIW shot 42.1 percent for the game, while Northwestern State was held to 33.3 percent.

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LAKE CHARLES – Less than 24 hours after a scintillating finish to the Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals, the Northwestern State men’s basketball team saw the roles reversed.

Top-seeded and tournament host McNeese was the faster starter Tuesday night while the Demons played second-half puncher.

Despite a valiant effort to try to erase a double-figure deficit, fourth-seeded Northwestern saw its tournament run come to an end with an 83-64 loss to the Cowboys inside the Legacy Center.

“I always tell my guys, ‘Give yourself a chance to win with four minutes left,’” second-year head coach Rick Cabrera said. “Whoever makes the fewest mistakes is going to win. That wasn’t us tonight. I want to give credit to Will Wade and his team. They’re the best team in the league. They’re big-time shot makers, and they take advantage of mistakes.”

The Demons (16-16) committed eight first-half turnovers that led to nine McNeese points.

Coupled with a blistering start from the Cowboys (26-6), who hit 5 of their first 6 3-pointers, it led to a 17-point halftime deficit.

The Demons started quickly in the second half.

Micah Thomas keyed an 11-3 run to start the second half with a pair of 3-pointers. The second of Thomas’ 3s cut the lead to nine with 17:17 and was part of a fast start to the second half for both offenses.

The hot shooting from long range continued for the Cowboys, who sank six of eight second-half 3-pointers and finished 11 for 19 from beyond the arc. In three games against Northwestern this season, McNeese shot 53.6 percent from behind the arc (37-for-69) and reached double figures in made 3s in all three games.

Northwestern limited its turnovers in the second half, cutting them in half, putting it in position to continue to slice into the lead.

Down by as many as 19 in the first half, the Demons cut the lead to five with 8:59 to play when Addison Patterson sank all three free throws after being fouled on a 3-pointer.

Northwestern had a chance to cut the lead to one possession, but a Thomas 3 rimmed out.

“I know a lot of people counted us out in the first half,” Cabrera said. “We came back and cut it to five. I told them at halftime, ‘Relax. We’ve been in this position before.’ That’s what they did. It wasn’t anything I did coaching wise.”

The Demons remained within striking distance for much of the next four minutes, standing within seven points after a Patterson jumper with 3:45 to play.

That stood as the last basket and the last point for the Demons as the Cowboys closed on a 12-0 surge to earn a repeat visit to the tournament championship game.

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