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Brownwood, TX - The Louisiana College men's basketball team closed out their road trip on Saturday with a 77-67 loss to the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets in Brownwood, Texas.
 
The Wildcats struggled shooting the ball all game, as LC went just 25-72 (34.7%)  from the field on the day while HPU went 29-62 (46.8%).
 
LC would take their biggest lead of the afternoon when sophomore Dillon Mandeville knocked down two free throws to give the Wildcats a 12-7 advantage at the 15:46 mark of the first half.
 
The Jackets would then storm back with a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 17-14 lead at the 12:54 mark before LC's Kevin Cottonham immediately answered with a game-tying three-pointer.
 
The two teams would tie the score three times the rest of the first half before HPU took a 35-33 lead into the locker room.
 
After LC junior guard Trey Ray made a fastbreak layup off a steal from Anthony Gaines, Jr. at the 18:09 mark of the second half to tie the game at 37-37, the Wildcats would get three point baskets from both Gaines, Jr. and Cottonham on two of their next three possessions to take a 43-39 lead at the 16:26 mark.
 
A three-pointer from HPU's Jorden Young at the 13:17 mark tied the game at 50-50 before the Jackets would go on a 13-0 run over the next six minutes to take a commanding 63-50 lead with 7:41 remaining in regulation.
 
The Jackets closed things out from there to secure the 77-67 win.
 
Gaines, Jr. led LC with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds while Cottonham was the only other Wildcat in double figures with 14 points.
 
The loss dropped LC's record to 4-6 overall and 4-3 in ASC play. They are scheduled to play their first game in the H.O. West Fieldhouse this season on Tuesday against rival East Texas Baptist at 7:30 p.m.