The Wildcats claimed their second Southland Conference Championship title in three years in a smashing 79-45 blowout against Nicholls Saturday evening. The win earned them an automatic entry into the NCAA tournament, and they will play in the first round in Indianapolis Friday or Saturday.
- Redshirt senior center Kolton Kohl battles Nicholls’ senior center Ryghe Lyons for control of the tipoff of the conference championship game. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Mahki Morris falls away from a Colonel after defending the net. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- A Wildcat leans over to protect the ball from several Colonels. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior forward Joe Pleasant drives the ball into the paint. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Redshirt senior center Kolton Kohl looks past Nicholls’ senior center Ryghe Lyons as he searches for a teammate to pass to. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Dr. Marcia Straughn, dean of the School of Nursing, and her daughters cheer for the Wildcats with fellow fans after a successful three-point shot. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Mahki Morris carries the ball over Nicholls’ redshirt senior forward Damien Sears as he lines up his shot. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Redshirt senior center leaps over Nicholls’ redshirt senior forward Damien Sears to make a layup. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior forward Joe Pleasant and Nicholls’ redshirt senior forward Damien Sears watch the ball fly toward the net. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Mahki Morris launches himself toward the net as he lines up a shot over his defenders. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Redshirt senior center Kolton Kohl reaches over Nicholls’ senior center Ryghe Lyons to push the ball toward the net. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior forward Joe Pleasant leaps through the paint to carry the ball straight into the net. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Coryon Mason looms over Nicholls’ senior guard Kevin Johnson as he lines up his shot below the net. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior guard Damien Daniels bends around his defender in midair to line up his shot. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Coryon Mason drives the ball down the lane past Nicholls’ senior guard Jeremiah Buford. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Paul Hiepler celebrates a successful three-point shot made by a teammate late in the second half of the conference chamionship game. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Head Coach Joe Golding shouts angrily at a referee after a controversial call late in the second half of the conference championship game. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Mahki Morris arches his arms past his defender to keep the ball away from the Colonels. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior forward Clay Gayman bats the ball away from Nicholls’ senior guard Ty Gordon underneath the net. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Coryon Mason falls to the ground underneath Nicholls’ senior center Ryghe Lyons.(Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior forward Joe Pleasant and junior forward Clay Gayman embrace proudly after winning the Southland Conference Chamionship game. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Members of the Nicholls team watch the Wildcats celebrate their conference championship on the court. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- The Wildcats cheer for the Southland Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Freshman forward Jameson Richardson carries his teammate on his back as they celebrate the Wildcats’ conference championship. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Reggie Miller cheers after dunking the ball. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Junior forward Joe Pleasant and senior guard Coryon Mason spread confetti around redshirt junior guard Tobias Cameron as they celebrate their team’s second consecutive Southland Conference basketball championship. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Senior guard Paul Hiepler shouts with emotion as he hugs teammates and basketball staff on the court after winning the conference championship. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- The Wildcats pose to celebrate their advancement to the March Madness tournament. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- The Wildcats storm the court after winning the conference championship. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
- Head Coach Joe Golding cuts a piece of the Wildcats’ game net for a celebratory keepsake after winning the Southland Conference championship game. (Photo by Riley Fisher)