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The Louisiana College men's basketball team moved into a tie for second place in the American Southwest Conference standings with an impressive 66-50 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday afternoon in the H.O. West Fieldhouse to complete a sweep of their three game homestand.

With a much slower pace being set due to UMHB's style of play, the Wildcats were forced to rely much more on their ability to rebound and hit open jump shots than their customary up-tempo style.

The challenge was certainly accepted by the Wildcats, as they defended the perimeter as well as they have all season, as the Crusaders went just 3-for-18 from beyond the arc while LC turned the ball over only seven times compared to 17 for UMHB.

LC had the early upperhand, as they held a 7-0 lead at the 15:52 mark of the first half on a layup in the paint by sophomore Steve Evans off a Kevin Lewis assist.

UMHB would threaten over the next several minutes, as made three-pointers from Cole Hopkins and Jalen Jury put the Cru within four points at 11-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining.

But the Wildcats would remain calm, and a three-pointer from the wing by Dillon Mandeville, LC's secret weapon off the bench, at the 5:45 mark capped a 14-8 run by the Wildcats to put them ahead 25-15 and they held on to that lead to go into the locker 30-23.

UMHB would gain the early momentum in the second half, however, as the Wildcats missed their first four shots after halftime and a pair of free throws by Crusader guard Layton Zinsmeister capped an 8-0 run to give UMHB their first lead of the game at 31-30 with 17:26 left on the clock.

But the Wildcats were relentless all afternoon, and a layup by Evans on LC's next possession off a Kevin Cottonham assist gave LC the lead back at 32-31, and they would not relinquish that lead the rest of the day.

And as always, it was the Wildcats fast-paced and high altitude style that gave them the momentum they needed the rest of the way.

Anthony Gaines, Jr.'s monstrous put back slam at the 12:42 mark after three straight missed field goals on the possession by LC gave the Wildcats a 43-37 lead and was followed by a jumper from Gaines, Jr. and a three-pointer from Mandeville to give LC a 48-37 advantage with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

But the biggest highlight of the afternoon, and one that seemed to be the ultimate nail in the coffin for the Crusaders, was a thunderous dunk from Evans at the 7:14 mark off a feed from Lewis that brought all fans in attendance to their feet.

LC's 10 steals and 17 forced turnovers resulted in a 19-7 advantage for the Cats in points off turnovers and a 10-2 advantage in fast break points.

Gaines, Jr. led LC with 21 points and 11 rebounds, his fourth straight game with 20 or more points and second consecutive double-double.

Evans finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals while Mandeville was the third Wildcat in double figures after knocking down four shots from three-point territory to finish with 12 points and two assists.

The Wildcats (10-7, 10-4 in ASC) are now in a three-way tie for second place in the ASC standings with Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-6, 10-4) and East Texas Baptist (15-4, 10-4). Howard Payne is also tied with the three teams in the loss column at 9-9 overall and 9-4 in conference play.

LC will take on UT-Dallas (13-6, 8-6) on Thursday in Richardson, Texas at 7:30 p.m. with a chance to take over sole possession of second place in the ASC.