By Tom Behrens, tbehrcomm@gmail.com
Leonard Merrell Center, 6301 S Stadium Ln, Katy, is again host to the 2017 Southland Basketball Tournament games this year. Competition began Wednesday evening for the men and the women’s games began Thursday morning. The top eight men’s and women’s teams at the end of the regular season standings will be competing for a spot to play in the March Madness basketball tournament that will define who has the bragging rights of being the best team in the country.
In the first round of men’s games that were completed on Wednesday evening, No. 5 seed Sam Houston State University defeated No. 8 Central Arkansas, 77-69.
In game 2, No. 6 Lamar defeated No. 7 Southeastern Louisiana, 77-65
In the women’s first round Thursday No. 8 Northwestern State fell to No. 5 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 57-46; No. 7 Nicholls was defeated by No. 6 McNeese, 79-58.
Games continue through Saturday evening when the men’s championship will be crowned, and Sunday morning to determine the women’s champions. Please check
http://southland.org/sports/2017/1/27/MBB_0127174049.aspx for the latest scores and updates.
If you can’t make any of the games at Merrell Center, you can keep up with action on ESPN2 and ESPN3. Check your local cable provider for the times and dates.