Northwestern St. didn’t lead at the break. It didn’t need to. A 36-point second half flipped the game and pushed the Demons past Incarnate Word, 54-49, on Feb. 24, 2026.

Incarnate Word carried a 23-18 edge into halftime, then watched Northwestern St. turn the game into a grind it could control — outscoring the Cardinals 36-26 after the break to secure the five-point win. The venue was listed as TBD.

How it happened

The first half belonged to Incarnate Word on the scoreboard, if not in comfort. The Cardinals’ 23 points were enough to build a slim cushion, while Northwestern St. struggled to find rhythm and entered the locker room down five.

The second half was a different game. Northwestern St. cranked up its pressure and pace just enough to change the math: 36 points after halftime, compared to 18 in the first half. That swing was the difference, turning a deficit into a 54-49 final.

Turning point: Northwestern St.’s second-half punch

When the Demons came out and put 36 on the board in the second half, Incarnate Word couldn’t match it. The Cardinals scored 26 after the break — respectable, but not enough against a Northwestern St. group that finally found consistent offense and paired it with timely stops.

What it means going forward

For Northwestern St. (10-19), the win reinforces the direction of its recent form (WWLWW). The Demons are still digging out of a tough season, but this was the kind of late-season result that matters: win a low-possession game, win it with defense, and win it by controlling the second-half scoreboard.

For Incarnate Word (11-18), the loss extends a skid reflected in its current form (LWLLL). The Cardinals did enough early to put themselves in position, but the inability to keep pace after halftime — and the five-point final margin — will sting in a game that was there to take.

Final score

Northwestern St. 54, Incarnate Word 49

Scoring by half

Halftime: Incarnate Word 23, Northwestern St. 18

Second half: Northwestern St. 36, Incarnate Word 26