Box Score

The Louisiana College men's basketball team were unable to complete the sweep of Sul Ross on Thursday night in Natchitoches, as the Wildcats were unable to overcome an eight point halftime deficit in the 74-66 loss to the Lobos at Prather Coliseum. LC will travel to East Texas Baptist on Saturday for their third American Southwest Conference game of the week before returning home next Tuesday to take on Concordia. 

The Wildcats jumped out to a 9-3 lead four minutes into the first half, with the nine points coming from four different players, capped by a 3-pointer from Palmer Hill.  After the under 16 media time out, Sul Ross put together a 12-0 run over the course of four minutes of game time to take a 15-9 lead over LC. The Lobos held on to their lead through the remainder of the first half as every time the Wildcats cut it to a single possession, Sul Ross responded on their end of the floor.  With 3:02 left in the half a jumper from Brandon Watkins put the Wildcats down by three, but Sul Ross ended the half with a 6-1 run to hold the 36-28 lead at the break.

LC came out sluggish in the second half and the eight point Lobo lead turned into a 14 point lead just two minutes into the half. Still down by double figures at the 15:26 mark, the Wildcats started to gradually chip away at the Sul Ross lead.  Over the next five minutes of action, LC worked their way back into the game going on a 14-4 stretch on the shoulders of senior Raheem Regis and freshman standout Taylan Grogan.  The combo scored 11 of the Wildcats 14 points during the stretch with the final three points of the run coming from Travis Schultz's 3-pointer from the top of the circle, making the score 53-50 Lobos mid way through the final half. 

After Schultz pulled the Wildcats within a single shot of the Lobos, back to back layups from Grogan and John Parker gave LC their first lead of the game since the 15:26 mark of the first half.  LC held the lead for the next three minutes of game time until a 3-pointer from Brock Anders tied the game at 60 with 6:31 left to go.  The Lobos would score the next 10 points unanswered and just like that the deficit was back to double digits for the Wildcats. LC got back within four points with just over a minute remaining but Sul Ross converted their free throws to secure the 74-66 victory.

Raheem Regis led the Wildcats scoring once again with 19 points, Steve Evans picked up his second double-double of the season, picking up 10 rebounds to go along with his 15 points, and freshman Taylan Grogan scored in double figures for the second straight game with 13 against Sul Ross.

The Wildcats take on conference rival East Texas Baptist on Saturday in Marshall, tip off is scheduled for 3pm, and will return home to face Concordia for the second time this season.  The site of the game is still to be determined pending the completion of the playing surface at Louisiana College's H.O. West Fieldhouse.