Bears Close Regular Season with Win over Northwest on Sophomore Night

It was the close to the regular season that they Bears had hoped for. Just four days removed from a thrilling road win over Gulf Coast, Southwest kept the momentum going Monday picking up a hard-fought 89-71 win over Northwest at home in the regular season finale and on Sophomore Night. “I’m just proud of how many guys contributed to the game tonight,” Southwest head coach Corey Schmidt said. “We had multiple guys making plays out there when they got their moment.”

One of the guys for the Bears (17-12, 8-6 MACCC) was Hami Ndiaye who made his presence known early not only using his 6-8 frame in the paint giving defenders fits, but also on the offensive end where he scored in all three facets through the first 6:00 of play. He splashed-in another make shortly afterward, scoring nine of Southwest’s first 15 points.

Ndiaye finished with a new career high not only in points with 19 but also in made 3pointers with three.

He said that he had been working on expanding his game which included better shooting from 3-point range and that it not only helped him as of late but especially in Monday’s win. “I feel like I never really got the chance to showcase what I can do on the court in terms of scoring because I have always had a defensive role. But now that I am expanding on my game with Coach Corey’s and Coach (Scott) Moses’s help, it has taken me to another level,” Ndiaye said. Ndiaye’s 3-pointer and basket kick-started a 14-0 run which gave Southwest a 24-11 advantage.

Even though Northwest rallied and narrowed the gap to just five, the Bears responded with another run taking a 14-point lead. The run was highlighted by JaylenHaliburton who contributed with a basket and 3-pointer. Southwest finished the half strong, leading 43-27 at the intermission. Another sophomore in LeVionne Lindsey got the Bears off on the right foot in the second half with a pair of makes expanding the lead to as much as 20.

Over the next several minutes of play, the Rangers continued to fight and worked to narrow the gap. But the combination of Haliburton and Tylik Weeks, kept the Bears in the lead by double-digits.

Down the stretch, the Bears displayed a balanced attack, highlighted by alley oops to Haliburton, Daylen Thomas and Weeks which not only helped Southwest keep the momentum on the home side but also bring the many Bear fans in attendance to their feet, cheering.

In addition to Ndiaye’s big night, Weeks also shined, leading the charge with 25 points. Haliburton also finished in double-digits in scoring with 13 points.

The win helped further cement the Bears in the Region 23 Postseason Tournament as Southwest finished as the No. 7 seed and will host No. 10 East Central Thursday at 7:30 p.m. BEARS CLOSE REGULAR SEASON WITH WIN OVER NORTHWEST ON SOPHOMORE NIGHT