Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson

Stafford, Texas — In a Red River-style showdown that featured 10 ties and eight lead changes, the North American University Stallions went blow-for-blow with LSU Alexandria on Thursday night inside The Stable, but second-half rebounding swings proved costly as the Stallions dropped a gritty 71–64 decision.

NAU came out swinging, pushing tempo, sharing the ball, and feeding off a locked-in home crowd to take a 40–39 halftime lead. This team showed discipline, patience, and a commitment to the game plan from the opening tip.

First-Half Flow: Stallions in Rhythm

The Stallions executed with poise throughout the first 20 minutes.

• Tevin Gowens set the tone at point, delivering 12 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a perfect night from deep.

• Jamarric Hammond found his rhythm early, posting 15 points and 7 boards while knocking down 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

• Joseph Cormier brought grown-man strength inside, stacking 9 rebounds and keeping NAU in the paint battle.

NAU's movement created high-efficiency looks and allowed the Stallions to control tempo heading into the break.

Second-Half Grind: LSUA's Size Takes Over

What changed? Rebounds. And only rebounds.

LSUA pounded the glass, finishing with 47 boards to NAU's 36 and converting those extra chances into 17 second-chance points and 40 points in the paint. Despite that, the Stallions refused to back down.

• Naheim Northern played anchor on the back line with 9 rebounds and 4 blocks.

• Syncere Shaw provided instant energy—10 points, 5 rebounds, and aggressive play in transition.

• Oakley Lewis brought toughness off the bench, scoring 8 while attacking the rim.

Every time LSUA pressed the lead, NAU answered with confidence. The effort never dipped, even late.

Stallions Pride

What defines this group is resilience. Even when LSUA grabbed momentum on the glass, NAU continued to battle, sharing the ball, contesting shots, and staying locked in possession after possession. I am proud of the way this team fought while down, refusing to let adversity dictate their energy. The toughness, composure, and togetherness on display are the building blocks of a championship-caliber program. Nights like this don't break teams—they sharpen them.

Key Contributors – North American

• Jamarric Hammond: 15 pts, 7 reb, 3 threes

• Tevin Gowens: 12 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl

• Syncere Shaw: 10 pts, 5 reb

• Joseph Cormier: 8 pts, 9 reb

• Naheim Northern: 9 reb, 4 blk

Up Next

Next Event:
December 6, 2025
3:00 PM CST
Louisiana Christian vs. North American
The Stable – Stafford MSN Gym in Stafford, TX

The Stallions regroup quickly with a Saturday afternoon matchup, looking to turn Thursday's fight into fuel.