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NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State basketball program was shaken Saturday night by the sudden passing in a Houston hospital of the infant twin sons of star senior center William Mosley, and Sunday, head coach Mike McConathy expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.

Jayden and Kayden Mosley were born last March 20 and were hospitalized since birth with respiratory issues. There was no apparent imminent threat before both died Saturday evening, Jayden during emergency surgery and Kayden within a short while later. Mosley's girlfriend, Kayla Pete, an NSU student from Lake Charles, received a call from the hospital informing her of the tragedy while she waited for Mosley following the NSU team's game at Stephen F. Austin.

“We just appreciate everybody's heartfelt concern and prayers. It's a difficult time. We don't understand why these things happen in our lives, but we just know God is in control and we'll continue to lean on Him,” said McConathy. “People around the Southland Conference, people in the Northwestern State University family, and many others have been so kind, compassionate and helpful to Will, Kayla and our Demon basketball family. That support is deeply appreciated.”

Counselors and clergy met the team and the couple when they returned to Natchitoches shortly before midnight Saturday. Funeral arrangements were incomplete Sunday.

Mosley told the coaching staff Sunday that he plans to join his teammates at the Southland Conference Tournament in Katy, Texas. The Demons play Lamar Wednesday at 2:30 in a quarterfinal game, hoping to advance to the semifinals on Thursday evening at 6:05 and the championship game at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The team will be wearing a memorial patch on its uniform. Officials at Texas-San Antonio indicated their team would also wear a memorial patch during the tournament. Other league coaches and teams, along with conference officials, expressed condolences and support.

A feature segment spotlighting Mosley and his family ran at halftime of the Southland TV telecast of last Wednesday's win over Nicholls, and has been posted on the nsudemons.com website through the YouTube channel, and also on the Northwestern State Demons and Northwestern State University Facebook pages. A moment of silence was observed before the start of NSU home softball and baseball games Sunday.

Mosley, a Shreveport-Huntington product, graduated from NSU in December. He is the fifth-leading shot blocker in NCAA history, and ranks third at NSU in career rebounding, ninth in Southland history. He is a candidate for Player of the Year honors on the All-Southland team to be announced Tuesday.