Conference tourney roundup: McNeese, Lehigh, Idaho earn NCAA berths

Sixth-year senior Javohn Garcia poured in a career-high 31 points as second-seeded McNeese earned a 76-59 upset of top-seeded Stephen F. Austin to claim its third straight Southland Conference championship and NCAA Tournament bid.

Garcia drilled 11 of 18 shots from the field and went 5 of 8 from 3-point range as the Cowboys (28-5) never trailed while extending their winning streak to 10 games. Larry Johnson added 18 points while Tyshawn Archie notched 17 points, five assists and five steals.

Keon Thompson scored 18 points to pace the Lumberjacks (28-5), who split the regular-season series with McNeese. Kam Burton added 10 points as SFA shot 37.3% from the field and 5 of 21 (23.8%) on 3-point attempts.

Patriot: Lehigh 74, Boston U. 60

Nasir Whitlock led a balanced attack with 18 points as the second-seeded Mountain Hawks subdued the fourth-seeded Terriers to claim their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012.

Joshua Ingram and Edouard Benoit produced 15 points apiece for Lehigh (18-16) while Hank Alvey piled up 14 points to go with a game-high nine rebounds and five assists. The Mountain Hawks led by double figures for the final 13:20.

Ben Defty paced Boston U. (17-17) with 21 points and eight rebounds while Michael McNair contributed 14 points and Chance Gladden added 11. The Terriers entered the night ranked fifth nationally in 3-point shooting at 40.0%, but they made just 1 of 16 from 3-point range.

Big Sky: Idaho 77, Montana 66

Isaiah Brickner compiled 23 points and 10 rebounds as the Vandals downed the Grizzlies in Boise to earn their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1990.

Seventh-seeded Idaho (21-14) trailed by three points early in the second half before pulling away with a 21-8 run. Brody Rowbury scored nine of his 12 points in that span, including a 3-pointer with 8:35 remaining that gave the Vandals a 53-43 lead.

Te’Jon Sawyer and Money Williams each logged 19 points for fourth-seeded Montana (18-16).

–Field Level Media