MONROE, LA - Playing their final game before finals week begins, the Louisiana College men's basketball team took a step up in competition on Saturday night, falling to in-state Division I opponent UL-Monroe 83-55 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, La.

The Wildcats came out strong in the first few minutes, as Anthony Gaines, Jr.'s layup at the 15:13 mark of the first half put LC within a basket at 10-8.

But the Warhawks would flex their muscle over the next 10 minutes to take a 35-17 when Nick Coppola finished a fastbreak with a layup with just under five minutes remaining in the half.

ULM would stretch that lead to 20 at the end of the first half, going to the locker room with a 43-23 lead.

The Wildcats would get no closer than 14 points in the second half despite a much better shooting performance in the final 20 minutes.

The Warhawks outrebounded the Wildcats  42-to-33  during the game and outshot  LC by shooting at a 55.6% (35-63) clip compared to 32.8% (21-64) for the Cats, as they were able to use their interior size to dominate inside the paint and take the win.

Louisiana College went just 2-19 (10.5%) from behind the three-point line.

Gaines, Jr. led LC with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. He was joined in double figures by Kevin Lewis (10 points, six rebounds).

The Wildcats (2-2, 2-0 in ASC play) will get a two week break before they travel to Belton, TX on December 18^th to take on Mary Hardin-Baylor in ASC action.

The Crusaders are coached by former Louisiana College basketball player and central Louisiana native Ken Deweese.