Dylan Kyle Poche was born on March 10, 1997, in Natchitoches, Louisiana

In just 18 short years, Dylan left a mark far greater than time could measure. After his tragic and violent passing, Dylan’s family made a decision to hold his first memorial Bass Tournament on May 8th  2016. 
Burt says, The event has grown bigger than we ever would have expected.

Each year, they host a memorial fishing tournament in his honor. Proceeds fund a scholarship through Northwestern State University, Dylan’s name continues to open doors and change lives for generations to come.

This year, a portion of tournament proceeds will also benefit Hope For Lydia

Registration Deadline:  March 27, 2pm

Tournament Information:  www.dylankylepoche.com

Online Registration:  https://app.fishingchaos.com/tournament/421EecWiVrOyjr7ynXJz

10th Annual Dylan Kyle Poche Bas Tournament
Date: March 28, 2026

Location: Cypress Bend Park

Activities
•Kids Fishing from the bank
•Food for all
•Prizes/Raffles
•Kids Jumpers
•Live Band

Talent is common, but experience is rare. Here is how CAPA turns students into working professionals before they ever graduate. 

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

There is a moment of terrifying clarity that happens to every young artist. It usually strikes midway through a senior showcase or during the quiet drive home from an audition. It is the realization that raw talent, no matter how bright, is only a starting line. The world is full of people who can sing, paint, or write. The industry does not pay for potential. It pays for polish.

This is the hard truth of the creative life. The gap between having a gift and having a career is wide, and it is paved with rejection, technical demands, and the need for a relentless work ethic. Many young creatives hesitate here. They have the vision, yet they lack the professional-grade portfolio or the stage hours to make a casting director pause. They wait to start their careers until after graduation, only to find they are already years behind.

At Northwestern State University, inside the Mrs. H.D. Dear, Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), we operate under a different philosophy. We believe you cannot learn to be a professional by sitting in a classroom talking about it. You must do the work.

The halls of CAPA carry a specific energy. It is the sound of a piano practice room occupied in the early morning hours and the scent of oils in a painting studio late at night. Here, we do not view the arts as a hobby or a fragile dream. We treat them as a discipline.

This approach changes the trajectory of a student’s life.

When you walk through the doors of CAPA, you are not asked to wait for your turn. The hierarchy that exists at other institutions, where freshmen wait years to touch a camera or step into the spotlight, does not exist here. From your first semester, you are in the mix. You are auditioning for mainstage productions. You are hanging your work in gallery exhibitions. You are recording in professional studios and reporting for digital media outlets.

The faculty guiding this work are not retired observers. They are active artists, performers, and creators who understand the modern landscape of the industry. They know that a degree is necessary, but a reel is vital. They push students to build a body of work that stands up to scrutiny in New York, Los Angeles, or Atlanta.

Scott Burrell, Director of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts and Professor of Theatre, emphasizes that the curriculum bridges the gap between student and professional. “We don’t ask you to wait until graduation to become an artist,” Burrell says. “We hand you the tools and the stage on day one. By the time you leave, you’re not starting a career. You’re continuing one.”

The results of this immersion are etched into playbills and credit rolls across the nation.

Look at the numbers. Twelve alumni have landed on Broadway. Graduates have appeared in over 120 film and television productions. Thirty-two professional dance companies feature NSU-trained talent. Our alumni are defining the arts. They are the graphic designers shaping global brands, the journalists leading newsrooms, and the music educators inspiring the next generation.

This success stems from a curriculum that balances creative freedom with technical rigor. Whether it is the NASAD-accredited Fine & Graphic Arts program, the elite ensembles of the Department of Music, or the Department of Theatre & Dance, one of only 150 NAST-accredited programs in the country, the standard is excellence.

We understand that talent is the fuel, but training is the engine. From Theatre and Music to Art and New Media, Journalism, & Communication Arts (NMJCA), our programs are defined by cutting-edge collaboration rather than outdated instruction. We prioritize career training that is pertinent to the industry and vital to the student. For example, NMJCA students are currently producing nationally award-winning podcast series. The Department of Music routinely brings Grammy-nominated producers into the studio to work alongside faculty and students. The Department of Art’s Design Center for in-house internships was recognized as one of only twenty elite models in a 2025 study by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

When an NSU student walks across the graduation stage, they carry a resume. They have a network of peers and mentors who open doors. They possess the confidence that comes from having done the job a hundred times before the first paycheck ever arrived.

The creative world is competitive, but it is not impenetrable. It yields to those who show up prepared. If you are ready to stop dreaming about the work and start doing it, you belong here. The studio is open. The lights are on.

Whether you seek to command the stage or master the craft behind the scenes, you will find your place within CAPA’s professionally oriented programs. The invitation is open to join the Demon family. Apply to CAPA today, schedule your visit, and let’s get to work.

Explore CAPA: https://www.nsu.la/capa

Schedule a CAPA Tour: https://www.nsula.edu/admissions/campus-tours/

Apply for Admission: https://www.nsula.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/

““How do I take our money off ‘subscription auto‑pilot’ and put it back under family control?”
 See what Ida says 

LAKE CHARLES — Lakeview and East Iberville were tied at 31 with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter Tuesday in their LHSAA Non-Select Division IV semifinal boys basketball playoff game.

From there, the Tigers roared.

For the second straight year, East Iberville ended Lakeview’s season, but this time, it wasn’t on a buzzer beater, but a heater that lasted the last nine minutes of the game in Marsh Madness at Burton Coliseum.

The Tigers ran off the next eight points into a 39-31 advantage and kept going, mounting a decisive 18-2 run over a four-minute stretch that made all the difference in their 59-42 victory over the Gators.

Lakeview’s problems centered on 29 percent shooting aim throughout the game. Bobby Reliford sank 8 of 16 shots but the other Gators went 10-for-45.

Lakeview led 18-17 at halftime and the teams swapped baskets through most of the third quarter, before East Iberville kicked into another gear.

The Gators got 18 points from Reliford, who added six rebounds and four steals, and 10 more rebounds were grabbed by Atlas Hicks.

Lakeview lost to EIHS on a last-second shot, 47-46, at home in last year’s quarterfinals.

This time around the teams seemed just as evenly matched until the third-seeded Tigers (27-7) launched their late-game rush to put away the second-seeded Gators (29-5). East Iberville shot a solid 44 percent from the floor.

It was the second time in three years, and the sixth time in 12 seasons under coach Brian Wiliams, that Lakeview has reached the state tournament semifinals. The Gators won 14 of their last 16 games.

This year’s 11th Annual Pub Crawl will take place on Saturday, March 14 from 4:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. in downtown Natchitoches. This event will happen rain or shine. There will be five (5) pub crawl stops in addition to musical acts, food trucks and vendors on Front Street. Each crawler who registers will receive a goody bag and wristband entitling them to drink and appetizer specials and 2 free beers at the red beer truck. IDs will be checked at the registration/packet pick up table and at the beer truck.

A costume contest will be held at 6:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for best male costume and best female costume. Additionally, there will be first, second and third place prizes for the best pub crawl poker hand. All cards must be turned in by 8:30pm. The winners will be announced at 9:00pm. To register please visit ­­­­­­­­­­https://FAUNAPubCrawl2026.eventbrite.com.

Our packet pick-up party will be Friday, March 13 from 4-6pm at Flying Heart Brewery. We will have door prizes as well as Trail Boss free lunch coupons for the lucky first few who pick up their packets.

If you would like to sponsor this event, participate as a vendor or volunteer, please contact FAUNA Board Member Kathy Owsley at katcamcal@yahoo.com or text 318-471-6624.

Below is the schedule of events:

3:30 – Packet pick-up begins

4:00-8:30 – Pub Crawl & Vendors

4:00-6:00 – Jenny & Kelli

6:00 – Costume Contest

6:00-8:00 – Coming In Crutch

6:00-10:00 – Wrinkle Free Entertainment

8:30 – All cards must be turned in

9:00 – 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place winners announced

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Dr. Greg Granger explains the pros and cons of Trump attack on Iran and the domestic political realities of War

Greg discusses the domestic implications of his military action with Israel, after attacking Iran, the timing of the attack, the potential for Terror attacks on US Soil and potential rise in gas prices to $125-150 per barrel.  Dr. Granger also provides his analysis for Trump’s recent comments about Cuba.

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The Lakeview boys basketball team is primed for semifinal success today as the Gators tip off at 2:45 in Lake Charles against East Iberville in a Non-Select Division IV playoff game.

The game rewards the winner with a berth in Friday’s state championship game against either Ferriday or West St. Mary’s.

Lakeview (29-4) is the second seed in the bracket, while East Iberville (26-7) is No. 3. The teams met last year in the state quarterfinals, when East Iberville’s Tigers shocked the Gators on a buzzer-beater, 47-46, but fell by four in the semifinals.

This is a return to Marsh Madness in Burton Coliseum for the second time in three years for Lakeview, which has made five visits to the state semifinals in the first 11 seasons under coach Brian Williams.

To say Lakeview is peaking at the right time might be an understatement. The Gators have won 14 of their last 15 games, with the only loss coming by two points to a Tioga team that reached the Division I quarterfinals.

Lakeview has blown out both playoff opponents, Haynesville 75-46 and Northeast 84-40 last Friday in the quarterfinals. The Gators tuned up for postseason with a non-district 56-54 win over Class C state finalist Pleasant Hill.

East Iberville has some impressive wins this season, including a two-point overtime victory over Non-Select Division II’s second-seeded team, Madison, and victories over Class 5A teams Bonnabel and Southside. The Tigers’ only loss in the past 12 games was a blowout defeat to Washington-Marion, which is in the Division II semifinals, and they’ve won three overtime games in that stretch.  Their playoff wins have come over Homer by 33, and Lake Arthur 73-56 in the quarterfinals.

Today’s game can be seen on a pay per view basis through the NFHSnetwork.com website, or through the LHSAA app.

Northwestern State University’s History faculty was well represented at the 68^th annual meeting of the Louisiana Historical Society in Lafayette, LA March 5-7.

Dr. Charles Pellegrin, NSU Professor of History, chaired a session focused on interesting aspects of Natchitoches’ history titled “Staging the Past: History, Memory and Performance in Louisiana”. Three NSU faculty members gave presentations at the session with LSUS Professor and Archivist Dr. Laura Lyons McLemore giving comments.

Dr. Kent Peacock, NSU Assistant Professor of history, gave a presentation on opera houses and theaters in early 20 century Natchitoches. Dr. James MacDonald, NSU Professor of History, delivered a presentation on early 20 century novelist Ruth Cross and her novel about Natchitoches’ founder Louis Juchereau De Saint Denis. Dr. Christopher Gilson, NSU Associate Professor of History, delivered a presentation on the history of the Louisiana Cavalier play and the American Bicentennial. Additionally, 2002 Louisiana Scholars’ College alumna and current graduate student at Boston University, Sarah Jose, gave a presentation titled “The Textbooks of Louisiana Cuisine: An Analysis of The Junior League Cookbooks from 1959-1980.”

Notice is hereby given that the Natchitoches Parish School board will receive the following:

April 20, 2026 10 a.m.                        NPSB Milk and Milk Products Bid# 26-27:2

Bids/Proposals will be accepted until the date and time specified and will be publicly opened and read aloud on April 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. in the School Board’s Central Office, 310 Royal Street Natchitoches, LA 71457-5709. Please find bid-related documents and place electronic bids, is desired, at WWW.CENTRALBIDDING.COM.

For questions relating to the electronic bidding process please call Central Bidding at 225-810-4814. Bids/Proposals received after the date and time of opening will not be considered. Facsimile transmissions will not be considered. Additional information may be obtained upon request by contacting Michelle Demery at Michelle.Demery@npsb.la or 318-352-2358 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

2/27/26, 3/5/26, 3/10/26

NPSB Notice of Advertising for Bid Signed letter.

PART 1:  Dr. Greg Granger joins Billy West Live to discuss the War in Iran and the Trump Administration’s decision to attack Iran in conjunction with Israel and his legal authority to do so, and the accomplishments to date, along with his thoughts on how Russia and China will react to this action as well as what America’s exit strategy may be or if one exists.

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The Lakeview Gators left no doubt in their state semifinal boys basketball state playoff game Friday night while the Natchitoches Central Chiefs came up a few points short in theirs.

Lakeview, the second seed in Non-Select Division IV, routed No. 10 Northeast 84-40 Friday night at The Swamp.

Natchitoches Central, seeded third in Non-Select Division I, was outlasted at The Teepee Friday night 56-48 by sixth-seeded Central (Baton Rouge), which reached last year’s state championship game.

Lakeview (29-4) will play a familiar foe, East Iberville (26-7), Tuesday at 2:45 in Lake Charles at the LHSAA’s Marsh Madness event in Burton Coliseum.

East Iberville shocked the Gators on their homecourt last year in the quarterfinals by hitting a buzzer-beating shot for a 47-46 upset.

This is the fifth time in 12 seasons Lakeview has made the state semifinals under coach Brian Williams.

The Chiefs led 22-21 at halftime but foul trouble became an issue for NCHS and Central took the upper hand late in the third period.

NCHS finished with a 28-5 record, missing the state semifinals for the first time in four seasons. Central improved to 24-7.

SAN ANTONIO – Fittingly, it took extra innings for the Northwestern State baseball team to accomplish something eight years in the making.

Bryce Johnson’s three-run home run snapped a 12th-inning tie and the Demons held on for a 7-6 victory against Incarnate Word on Saturday to clinch a three-game Southland Conference series at Sullivan Field.

Friday evening, senior center fielder Joe Siervo added another chapter to his growing key-moment resume, delivering a tie-breaking, two-run home run as the Demons held on for a 9-8 victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader at UIW. The Cardinals grabbed a 13-9 win in the first game Friday, jumping to an early six-run lead.

The Game 3 extra-inning triumph marked the first time the Demons (9-7, 3-3) captured a series in San Antonio since the 2018 season.

“It’s a Demon type of win on a Demon type of day, and we did it in a Demon type of way,” third-year head coach Chris Bertrand said. “I continue to be the proudest leader of men because of the things we continue to exhibit. We’re going to continue to fight. We’re going to continue to put our fists up, and we’re going to continue to stay in it. Our guys exhibit grit and a never-say-die attitude. As long as it takes, whatever it takes, we’re always going to figure out a way. That’s what we enjoy the most – our guys want to be in that fire, because they are proud to be people who figure out a way to get it done.”

Johnson jumped the first pitch from UIW reliever Fawster Voytko (1-2) and drilled it out to left field, slicing it through a crosswind for his first home run of the season.

Johnson’s blast stood in direct opposition to how the Demons pulled even in the eighth inning.

Johnson ripped a leadoff double to left field by advancing to third on a productive ground out to first base by Michael McAloose and scored on Sam Ardoin’s chopper against a drawn-in infield.  

Northwestern starter Trent Hillen settled in after UIW (8-8, 2-4) scratched out a pair of two-run innings in the first and second to build a 4-2 lead. Hillen recovered to blank the Cardinals across the next four innings before turning the ball over to Wesley Marien, who spun four shutout innings of two-hit relief with four strikeouts.

“We talk a lot about learning, and we talk about pulling from those experiences,” Bertrand said. “Wes has been in that situation before. His ability to find a calm mentally and put those lessons learned and that value was pulled and call upon those experiences to deliver for the team is exactly what we talk about – who we want to be and what we want to be.”

The Demons held on for the win as Caden Fiveash (2-0) got Cole Tabor to fly out to center field after Tony DeJesus’ two-run home run cut into the Northwestern lead.

Fiveash worked two innings, working around a leadoff walk to strand the winning run at second base in the 11th inning to set up Johnson’s blast, which gave the Demons their sixth final at-bat win of the season.

Northwestern hosts Alcorn State Tuesday in a 6 p.m. game at Brown-Stroud Field.

SOFTBALL:  Friday in Houston, Northwestern State jumped out to another early lead but could not find the timely hit it needed as Houston Christian walked off with a 3-2 win in the Southland Conference opening series finale, after NSU swept a Thursday doubleheader, 7-1 and 11-6.

“We had opportunities throughout the game, we just couldn’t come up with that big hit like we were able to do a few times yesterday,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “I was really proud of the way that (Mattison) Buster competed for us all day, especially after pitching a lot on Thursday. It’s tough to lose one like that, but we definitely saw more progress as a team this weekend and we won the series.”

The Demons had a chance to give Buster her third win of the weekend in the seventh when the first two batters reached base on a hit-by-pitch and a pinch-hit single from Aly Delafield. However, a fly ball to center, strikeout and ground ball to short from the next three batters left the go-ahead run at second.

HCU led off the bottom of the inning with a double by Ella Herrewig with a sacrifice bunt moving her to third with one out. After two intentional walks to load the bases and create a force play at home, Maddy Bailey lined a ball into left to bring in the game-winning run for the Huskies.

The Demons continue play on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in a midweek contest at Grambling and are home next weekend for an SLC series.

LAKE CHARLES — A tightly contested defensive battle for much of the first half slipped away from the Northwestern State men’s basketball team in the final 20 minutes as Nicholls pulled away for a 61–47 win in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament on Sunday night inside the Townsley Law Center.

After leading by just one point at halftime, the Colonels used a decisive run midway through the second half to create separation, outscoring the Demons 36–23 after the break to advance to tonight’s quarterfinal matchup against UT-Rio Grande Valley. NSU finished with a 10-22 season, but did make its third straight SLC Tournament appearance under coach Rick Cabrera in a season where 14 of the 22 regular-season conference games were decided in the final minute.

Sixth-seeded Nicholls (14-18) seized control with a stretch that began shortly after No. 7-seeded Northwestern  pulled within two points early in the second half.

Following Landyn Jumawan’s fourth 3-pointer of the night that cut the deficit to 33–31 with just more than 16 minutes remaining, the Colonels responded with a dominant run that flipped the game.

Nicholls outscored the Demons 19–4 during a span from the 16:08 mark to 7:53, turning defensive pressure into transition opportunities and building a 52-35 advantage.

The Colonels’ interior offense played a major role in the surge. Nicholls finished with 38 points in the paint and scored 12 fast-break points, repeatedly converting turnovers and steals into easy baskets. Nicholls also recorded 15 assists on 25 made field goals and tallied 11 steals, helping create an 18-11 edge in points off turnovers.

The Demons struggled to find an offensive rhythm during the decisive stretch, missing nine of 10 field goals over a six-minute span in the second half as the Colonels steadily extended the lead.

Nicholls shot 45 percent from the field for the game compared to 29 percent for the Demons.

“Give credit to Nicholls,” Cabrera said. “They did a heck of a job defensively against us. I thought we defended well enough to win the game. We just picked the worst night to have our worst offensive night. Shots just didn’t fall.

“I told the guys the game was going to be won on the defensive end,” he said. “That means getting stops and getting points in transition. They did that in the second half and we didn’t.”

Jumawan provided an early spark for the Demons, knocking down three 3-pointers in the opening half and finishing with a team-high 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc.

Despite finishing even on the glass at 34 rebounds apiece and receiving 18 points from the bench, the Demons were unable to overcome Nicholls’ second-half surge.

“I wouldn’t say they out-physicaled us,” senior forward Willie Williams said. “But we gave up a lot of second-chance opportunities, and that hurt us.”

The loss also marked the final collegiate game for several Demon seniors, including Micah Thomas, Williams and Jumawan. Thomas, all-tournament last year as NSU reached the semifinals, struggled Sunday and the SLC’s fifth-leading points producer scored just four points.

“I told them I’m sorry their senior year didn’t end better,” Cabrera said. “But these guys helped us have a good year last season. They’ve meant a lot to this program.”

History and this year’s seedings bode well for the boys basketball teams at Natchitoches Central and Lakeview as they host state playoff quarterfinal games tonight.

The Chiefs, seeded third in Non-Select Division I, play host to No. 7 Central of Baton Rouge at 6:30 in The Teepee.

The Gators, the No. 2 seed in Non-Select Division IV, tip off at 7 against 10^th-seeded Northeast at The Swamp.

NCHS is shooting for its third straight move under coach Kolton Sepulvado into Marsh Madness, the state’s final four next week in Lake Charles. The Chiefs have reached the state tournament eight times in the last 13 years.

Lakeview has made that trip eight times in the past 11 years under coach Brian Williams.

Both local teams own 28-4 records.

NCHS faces a sixth-seeded Central team that has a 23-7 mark after playing for the state championship last season.

The Chiefs beat 14^th-seeded East Ascension 68-50 Tuesday night, but led by only two starting the fourth quarter before they ran off 10 straight points in a decisive 14-2 burst.

Central blew out 27^th-seeded West Ouachita 73-39 in the first round, then handled 11^th-seeded South Lafourche 70-60 Tuesday night.

Lakeview will play a Northeast team that is 17-14 overall but has won its last four, including Tuesday’s 56-49 upset at seventh-seeded Midland. The Vikings won 81-57 at home in the first round over 23^rd-seeded Tensas.

The Gators are 21-1 at home in the playoffs under Williams, but were upset last year in the quarterfinals on a buzzer-beater from East Iberville.

Lakeview blasted 15^th-seeded Haynesville 75-46 Tuesday night after a first-round bye.

The Lakeview game will be broadcast on 97.5 KDBH-FM.

The NCHS contest will air on 100.7 FM KZBL.

HOUSTON – The Northwestern State softball team delivered when the moments mattered most Thursday.

Northwestern (11-13, 2-0) scored six two-out runs in a 7-1 win in Game 1 then leaned on a clutch relief appearance from Mattison Buster to finish off an 11-6 victory and a Southland Conference-opening doubleheader sweep of HCU (3-18, 0-2).

Five of the 11 runs in the nightcap came with two gone in the inning.

The Demons and Huskies close their three-game series today at noon on ESPN+.

It’s the first time since 2022 that NSU won the first two games of league play. The Demons have won six of their last seven overall.

“Getting two wins to open conference play is just another step in the right direction for our team,” head coach Jenny Fuller said. “We’re continuing to grow and it was good to see us compete and execute when it mattered the most.”

The Demons scored in six of the seven innings of the first game, setting the tone for the doubleheader with the way in which they got their first two runs of the game – pressuring the defense with the running game.

While Northwestern pecked away in the first game, it got another dominating pitching performance from junior Mattison Buster.

Buster twirled her seventh complete game of the season and her third in the past three starts. She allowed just one run, after tossing five scoreless to start the game, scattering four hits across her 7.0 innings with four strikeouts.  

After putting up a single run in the opener, the Demons pushed across three in the top of the first of Game 2, the fifth straight game NSU has taken the lead in the first inning.  

Building their second seven-run lead of the day, the Demons survived an HCU comeback bid within 7-5.  Buster came on in relief and quieted the Huskies, and Northwestern plated four seventh-inning runs to cushion the lead.

TENNIS:  The ominous weekend weather outlook forecasting rainy weather in the area has resulted in postponement of home matches for the Northwestern Lady Demons scheduled Saturday (New Orleans) and Monday (Nicholls). Instead, NSU will host the same opponents next weekend. The Lady Demons, one of three defending co-champions in the SLC, made a big statement Monday at Corpus Christi with a 4-3 win over the Islanders to go to 2-0 in the league.

LAKE CHARLES — The Northwestern State men’s basketball team begins postseason play Sunday night as the No. 7 seed Demons face No. 6 seed Nicholls in the opening round of the Southland Conference Tournament inside the Legacy Center at McNeese’s Townsley Law Arena.

Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be streamed live on ESPN+. Radio coverage is available on the Demon Sports Network, flagshipped by 100.7 FM in Natchitoches.

The Demons (10-21, 8-14) enter tournament play after closing the regular season with a road matchup at UTRGV on Monday night. Northwestern battled throughout the contest behind a strong performance from Willie Williams, who recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Izzy Miles added 12 points while Micah Thomas finished with 10.

Now the focus shifts to a Nicholls team that edged Northwestern in both regular-season meetings.

“As the saying goes, this is March,” head coach Rick Cabrera said. “Nicholls is a very good opponent. Obviously, they clipped us twice by a possession each game, but we’re excited that we got in and we’re looking forward to battling them Sunday night.”

The season series against the Colonels (13-18, 12-10) told a similar story in both matchups — slow starts followed by strong second-half pushes from the Demons.

Defense has been a defining trait for the Colonels this season. Nicholls ranks 17th nationally in steals per game (8.9) and 28th in turnovers forced per game (14.5), both good for second in the Southland Conference.

In the first meeting on Jan. 9 in Thibodaux, NSU trailed by nine at halftime before responding with a strong second-half effort, outscoring Nicholls by seven after the break. Despite the rally, the Demons fell short.

The rematch in Natchitoches on Feb. 2 followed a nearly identical script. Nicholls built a 14-point halftime advantage, but Northwestern stormed back again in the second half, outscoring the Colonels by 11. Once again, the comeback bid came up just short.

Thomas, who transferred to Northwestern from Nicholls after two seasons and has played the last two years for Cabrera, has earned second-team All-Southland Conference honors after leading the Demons in points, assists, and steals.

He is fifth in the SLC in scoring with a 17.2 average, 2^nd in free throw aim at 92 percent (138-150), and ninth in field goal percentage (43), His free throw accuracy ranks seventh nationally and has surpassed the school record if it doesn’t drop. He connected on 36 consecutive free throws before a miss against Houston Christian. His 532 points this season rank 19th in school history.

Thomas made last year’s All-Southland Tournament team after leading Northwestern to the semifinals.

The Demons have been pointing toward this year’s SLC Tournament for some time, eager to convert playing down-to-the-wire losses in league action into wins in the postseason.

 “It’s hard to beat a team three times,” Cabrera said. “Nicholls has a winning pedigree. (Tevon Saddler) has done a great job with that program. But we know we belong. We know we can beat any team in front of us. The margin of error is small — for everybody — because it’s one and done.”  

The winner will move on to face No. 3 seed UTRGV as teams continue their pursuit of the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“Turnovers, rebound, defend,” Cabrera said. “If we do those things, our offense will take care of itself. When we’re good, we defend — and then we just play basketball.”

Phonetic: /ab·struse/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

• difficult to understand; obscure.
  “an abstruse philosophical inquiry”
• Similar: obscure, arcane