Staff Reports
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Former Bossier High star Jalan West helped the NSU Demons almost pull off a major upset Wednesday night in Waco, Texas.
West hit a 22-foot 3-pointer with 14.5 seconds left in regulation against AP No. 12 Baylor to send the game into overtime tied at 76. But Baylor went on to escape with a 91-84 victory.
West, who led Bossier to the 2011 Class 4A state title, led the Demons with 28 points. He also had eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals while playing all 45 minutes.
West leads the Demons in scoring at 18.6 points per game.
The Demons got 15 points from senior forward DeQuan Hicks, who had a team-best eight rebounds along with three assists and two steals. True freshman guard Zeek Woodley also scored 15 while senior guard Brison White contributed 11.
“We played a very solid, tough game against a very good basketball team, and they made a few more plays in overtime than we did,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy, a former BPCC coach and Airline standout.
“They won the game. We didn’t lose it. Our guys made a lot of plays to give us the chance to walk off winners, and I am proud of them for that and for the way they competed.”
After playing Baylor, the Demons traveled to El Paso for a game Thursday night against UTEP.
Northwestern State (4-7) lost 84-74 after falling behind 42-29 at the half, but West had another good game.
Despite being face-guarded almost the entire game, he had 14 points, five steals, grabbed six rebounds and extended a streak of consecutive free throws made to 20 in a row.
