SUGAR LAND, Texas — In a matchup just days before Mardi Gras festivities kick off across Louisiana, the Louisiana Knights brought their own early celebration to Texas, edging North American University 77–73 on Monday night.

It was a back-and-forth contest filled with energy, intensity, and spurts of momentum that felt like a warm-up to carnival season. NAU controlled the glass all night long, dominating 54–31 in total rebounds, but the Knights countered with precision scoring—shooting 54.2% from the field to slip out with the road win.

NAU led 33–31 at the half, but Louisiana found an offensive rhythm after the break, outscoring the Stallions 46–40 in the second period.

Key Storylines

A Pre-Mardi Gras Performance From Brookter

Louisiana's N. Brookter delivered a headline-worthy night with 25 points, 9 rebounds, and a strong finishing stretch. Whenever the Knights needed a bucket, he provided it.

Rebounding Feast for the Stallions

North American feasted at the rim:

• 14 offensive rebounds
• 40 defensive rebounds
• +23 rebound margin

The Stallions generated numerous second-chance opportunities—exactly what you want heading into the heart of your schedule—but couldn't convert quite enough of them into points.

McKey Dominates Again

Des'Raymond McKey put on a frontline showcase, dropping:

• 23 points
• 11 rebounds
• 10–15 FG • 2–3 3PT

He was efficient, physical, and reliable from start to finish.

Free Throws & Threes Make the Difference

NAU struggled at the line (5–10 FT) and from three (26.1%).
Louisiana's cleaner shooting kept the Knights ahead late.

Stallion Standouts

• Des'Raymond McKey (55): 23 pts, 11 reb, 2 ast
• Caleb Barajas (4): 10 pts, 7 reb, strong two-way presence
• Jalil Otems (0): 8 pts, 8 reb, active on the interior
• Aaderius Blanks (23): 8 pts, 5 reb, 2 blk
• Noah Rossow (24): 7 pts, 8 reb
• Bersil Cox (8): 6 pts, 5 ast, steady handling

Final Stats Snapshot

Field Goals: NAU 47.7% – Knights 54.2%
Rebounds: NAU 54 – Knights 31
3-Point: NAU 6–23 – Knights 4–12
Turnovers: NAU 13 – Knights 10
Assists: Tied at 18–18

Coach's View (SID Summary)

The Stallions showed toughness, especially battling on the boards and generating extra possessions. The next step heading into February is converting that physicality into scoreboard separation—improving free-throw percentage, limiting empty trips, and tightening late-game defensive rotations.

Even with the loss, this was a strong pre-Mardi Gras performance, and the growth areas are clear as NAU continues to elevate its JV program standard.