HAMMOND, La. (Interstat) — In a Southland Conference matchup defined by a decisive third-quarter surge, the Southeastern Louisiana women’s basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to defeat Houston Christian 68-61 on Saturday at the University Center.

The Lions, who improved to 4-18 overall, outscored the Huskies 20-14 in the pivotal third period, erasing a two-point halftime disadvantage and seizing control of a game that had been tightly contested through the first 20 minutes. The Lions then matched that 20-point output in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, their second in three games. Houston Christian fell to 6-16 with the loss.

The most important part of the game unfolded in that third quarter, where Southeastern Louisiana’s offensive efficiency and defensive pressure created separation. After trailing 34-32 at the break, the Lions opened the second half with an 11-2 run, fueled by three-pointers from Mia Ramos and Aliyah Collins. Ramos, who finished with 14 points, hit two of her four three-pointers during this stretch. The Lions’ ball movement and ability to capitalize on Houston Christian’s miscues—they scored 12 points off turnovers in the game—turned a narrow deficit into a lead they would not relinquish. The Huskies, who had led by as many as seven points in the first half, saw their offense stagnate against an energized Lions defense, managing just 14 points in the quarter on 33% shooting from the field.

Southeastern Louisiana was led by a standout double-double from Aliyah Collins. The 5-foot-5 guard from College Station, Texas, played 32 minutes and recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, providing crucial all-around play. Mia Ramos added 14 points, while Bethany Graves contributed nine points and six rebounds off the bench. The Lions shot 25 of 60 from the field and were particularly effective from beyond the arc, connecting on 10 of 27 three-point attempts. Their 13 offensive rebounds led to 13 second-chance points, a key factor in their 40-point second-half outburst.

Houston Christian was paced by balanced scoring, with four players reaching double figures. Grace Booth of Glen Rose, Texas, led the way with 12 points and five rebounds. Madison Hurta and Tove Caesar each added 13 points, with Hurta also recording a block and two steals. Kamryn McLaurin contributed 11 points and four rebounds. The Huskies shot 43.4% from the field but struggled from long range, making just 5 of 20 three-point attempts. They dominated points in the paint, 30-18, and scored 19 points off 13 Southeastern Louisiana turnovers, but were ultimately undone by the Lions’ second-half shooting and their own 13 giveaways.

The game began with Houston Christian establishing an early edge, closing the first quarter with a 15-13 lead and extending it to 34-32 by halftime behind 19 second-quarter points. The Huskies’ early success was fueled by interior scoring and transition opportunities. However, the narrative shifted dramatically after intermission as Southeastern Louisiana’s offensive rhythm, highlighted by a 105.0 offensive rating on 65 possessions, proved too much to contain over the final 20 minutes.

The win gave Southeastern Louisiana a measure of revenge for a 77-70 double-overtime loss to the Huskies on Dec. 12. The Lions will look to build on this performance when they travel to face Texas A&M-Commerce on Thursday. Houston Christian, which has lost two of its last three, will host Nicholls State on Thursday.

An announced crowd of 377 attended the game at the University Center.