Box Score NEW ORLEANS – Jalan West scored 24 points, all in the second half, and DeQuan Hicks added 22 Saturday night as Northwestern State cruised to its ninth win in 11 games, 84-71 at New Orleans in Southland Conference basketball.

The Demons (14-13 overall, 10-6 in the Southland) took control midway through the first half with a 20-3 run after nine lead changes and eight ties with the Privateers (11-13, 8-8). Northwestern shot 53 percent while holding UNO to 37 percent aim, the eighth time Demon foes have shot 40 percent or worse in the last 11 outings.

Zeek Woodley added 18 points as Northwestern capped a string of five straight road games. The Demons cap their regular-season slate at home next week, Thursday night against Central Arkansas and Saturday afternoon as Oral Roberts visits.

"This was a great road trip to go get two wins in south Louisiana, and to finish it up this way in a very tough matchup for us," said 15^th-year coach Mike McConathy. "We had a 17-point lead at Southeastern and they came back at us within three, and we made the plays to win at the end (88-83 Thursday night). Tonight after we got a good lead, we kept them at bay and maintained control."

Despite West heading to the bench with two early fouls, NSU broke free from a 19-all tie to a 39-22 advantage and UNO never got closer than 10 afterward. The lead was as big as 20 with 3:59 to go before both teams cleared their benches.

"Jalan played only eight minutes in the first half and despite him being on the bench with two fouls, we took hold of the game," said McConathy. "Sabri Thompson, Gary Stewart, Brison White, and Ryan King were some guys who didn't stat out on the box score, but were making plays that helped us get the upper hand."

After halftime, West sank 7 of 11 shots, including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers, and went 6-for-6 on free throws. With four steals, the 5-10 sophomore point guard moved into eighth on NSU's career steals list while getting within three of tying Richard Taylor's single-season school mark of 76 swipes. He dished out six assists, just under his 6.7 average that ranks eighth nationally, along with his 2.5 steals average that is fifth-best in the NCAA.

"Jalan had an unbelievable second half, showed what a special player he is," said McConathy. "DeQuan and Zeek were really sharp all night.

"That was a very, very tough game for us. They were obviously trying to take us out of a lot of what we do, because they know us so well with (UNO) Coach (Mark) Slessinger having been with us (as an assistant) for 11 seasons. We did a great job of adjusting and getting the ball inside," said McConathy. "DeQuan made some really nice basketball plays."

Hicks made 9 of 12 shots, several on mid-range jumpers, and led NSU with six rebounds while dishing three assists. White had five assists, a season high.

The Demons sank over 50 percent from the field for the third straight game.

The Privateers got 21 points and 15 rebounds by Kevin Hill while Cory Dixon, playing with a twisted ankle, scored 15, against his former team. He initially signed with NSU when Slessinger was an assistant, but transferred to junior college and joined UNO for his final two seasons.