Box Score
PINEVILLE, La. – It took a few extra days, thanks to icy conditions in the Central Louisiana region that forced the rescheduling of games, but the Louisiana College men came through in their first attempt to secure the 300th career win for longtime coach Gene Rushing, downing LeTourneau 65-51 in American Southwest Conference action.

Rushing, who has been the head coach at Louisiana College since 1985, was formerly a player and later and assistant under Billy Allgood, himself a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

“Coach Rushing was coaching here when I was still a student at Louisiana College,” Louisiana College President Dr. Joe Aguillard said. “He's an institution within this college who stands for morals and an uncompromising faith. He is a plumb-line for right and wrong for the young men that he influences every day. We are truly blessed to have Coach Rushing at Louisiana College and we congratulate him on achieving his 300th career win.

It was slug-it-out kind of day for the Wildcats (10-9, 9-6 ASC), as LC had to overcome a tough shooting day, one in which the home team was just 32 percent from the field in the first half.

Despite the rough sledding for the Wildcats, Louisiana College took a 30-27 lead into the locker room and outscored the Yellow Jackets (1-20, 0-16 ASC) 35-24 in the second half to secure the win.

Rushing, who had remained mum on the topic of his 300th win, received a standing ovation by the crowd of 525 in attendance and also was given a plaque by Acting Athletic Director Donnie Broussard.

“As I've said through this whole process,” Rushing said, “I really appreciate my current players and former players. They've meant so much to me as I've traveled down this coaching road. I appreciate all of the assistant coaches I've had over the years, they've helped me immensely in this process. And the administration at Louisiana College has always been very good to me and been very patient with me. And, of course, the great fans of Louisiana College basketball have been so supportive of me over the years.

“I've been very fortunate to have been at Louisiana College as long as I have. This college has meant so much to me and my family all these years. I could never begin to repay them.”

It was a big win on many fronts for the Wildcats, currently in third place in the ASC East, who desperately needed a win to hold serve in the race for the ASC tournament.

“As we approach this final run of the season, every game is absolutely huge,” Rushing said. “We knew coming in that they were going to play us to the hilt and they did just that. It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win we needed.”

Additionally, it was Senior Day for two members of the men's basketball team, post player Chukwuma Ekeh and four-year student assistant Kenneth Taylor, who carries more responsibility than most in his position as Rushing does not employ any other assistant coaches.

“Both of my seniors have meant an awful lot to this program,” Rushing said. “Kenny's been my right-hand man for four years now and I couldn't ask for a more loyal, efficient young man. Accountable, hard-working, all of those good words … That's him. I've been very fortunate to have him.”

Of Ekeh, who scored 16 points in the win, Rushing said, “Chukwuma has come farther than possibly any player I've coached in my career as far as from point A as a freshman to now. He's really developed into quite the player and quite the young man. He's always been dependable as a shooter over the years, but he's worked to become a better all-around player over these last four years.”

Ironically, on Senior Day, it was a junior who was the star for the Wildcats as point guard JeLani Mitchell put up a game-high 21 points