Cardinals' Dramatic Comeback Stuns No. 3 Ladyjacks In Thrilling Southland Tournament Semifinals Upset

In a shocking turn of events, the Redlands Cardinals have sent shockwaves throughout the Southland Conference by defeating the No. 3 seeded Ladyjacks of Incarnate Word in the semifinals of the Southland Tournament. The Cardinals' thrilling 80-75 victory was marked by a dramatic comeback, as they trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half. The win sets up a highly anticipated matchup with the top-seeded Sam Houston State Bearkats in the tournament championship.

The Redlands Cardinals have been on a tear this season, with a strong record of 25-6 overall and 13-5 in conference play. Led by their high-powered offense, which averages over 75 points per game, the Cardinals have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the Southland Conference. However, their victory over the Ladyjacks was far from expected, and it will be a testament to the team's resilience and determination.

The No. 3 seeded Ladyjacks of Incarnate Word have been a powerhouse in the Southland Conference all season, with a record of 28-4 overall and 16-2 in conference play. They have been led by their star player, guard Jasmine Church, who has averaged 18 points per game this season. The Ladyjacks' strong offense and defensive play have made them a formidable opponent, but they were unable to overcome the Cardinals' strong second-half push.

The Southland Conference Tournament has been a wild ride so far, with several upsets and surprises along the way. The tournament has featured some of the top teams in the conference, and the matchup between the Cardinals and Ladyjacks was highly anticipated. In the end, it was the Cardinals' determination and resilience that proved to be the difference maker.

Game Recap

Cardinals' Comeback Miracle

The Cardinals' victory was marked by a dramatic comeback, as they trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half. Despite being down, the Cardinals were able to regroup and refocus, using their strong bench to outscore the Ladyjacks 18-4 in the final 8 minutes of the game.

The Cardinals' bench was led by guard Tyler Childress, who scored 10 points in the second half. Childress's hot shooting helped to spark the Cardinals' comeback, and he was a key factor in their victory.

Ladyjacks' Second-Half Struggles

The Ladyjacks struggled to contain the Cardinals' offense in the second half, allowing them to outscore 48-35. Despite their strong performance in the first half, the Ladyjacks were unable to sustain their momentum in the second half.

The Ladyjacks' struggles in the second half were marked by a series of turnovers and missed shots. They were also unable to contain the Cardinals' leading scorer, guard Tyler Young, who scored 22 points in the game.

Statistical Leaders

• Tyler Young (RLL) - 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
• Jasmine Church (IU) - 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
• Tyler Childress (RLL) - 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

Key Takeaways

The Cardinals' victory over the Ladyjacks was a testament to their strength and resilience. Despite being down by 10 points in the second half, the Cardinals were able to come back and win the game.

The Ladyjacks' struggles in the second half were a key factor in their loss. They were unable to contain the Cardinals' offense, and were plagued by turnovers and missed shots.

The Cardinals' victory sets up a highly anticipated matchup with the top-seeded Sam Houston State Bearkats in the tournament championship. The Cardinals will look to continue their momentum and win their first tournament title in program history.

Quote from the Coach

"I'm so proud of our team for their determination and resilience," said Redlands head coach Mike Hackett. "We faced a tough opponent in the Ladyjacks, but we were able to stay focused and come out on top. We're excited to move on to the championship game and take on the Bearkats."

"We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we were able to stay calm and execute our game plan," added Ladyjacks head coach Kellie Harper. "We just couldn't sustain our momentum in the second half, and it cost us the game."

A Look Ahead to the Championship Game

The Cardinals will face off against the top-seeded Sam Houston State Bearkats in the tournament championship game. The Bearkats have been a dominant force in the Southland Conference all season, with a record of 29-3 overall and 17-1 in conference play.

The Cardinals will look to capitalize on the Bearkats' weakness on defense, which has been vulnerable to three-point shooting. The Cardinals have been one of the top three-point shooting teams in the conference, and they will look to exploit this weakness in the championship game.

The Bearkats, on the other hand, will look to use their strong defense to shut down the Cardinals' offense. They have been one of the top defensive teams in the conference, and they will look to hold the Cardinals to under 60 points in the championship game.

Upcoming Matchup

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Stay tuned for further updates on the Cardinals' run to the tournament championship. Will they be able to capture their first title in program history? Only time will tell.