Todd Ryals

Wildcats Fall to Sul Ross Again

12/15/2017 12:03:00 AM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

For the second time this season the Louisiana College men's basketball team were defeated by Sul Ross State University. Thursday's game played out similarly to their season opening, non-conference game in where the Lobos were able to pull away after a close first half. The 71-58 loss drops the Wildcats to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in conference play.

The game began well for the Wildcats as big man Devon Washington seemed to have the early advantage around the basket, scoring eight of LC's first 11 points to give the Wildcats a 11-8 lead five minutes into the game. The Lobos were able to tie the game on two different occasions over the next nine minutes of play, but the Wildcats continued to play at their pace, controlling the game and maintaining their lead. An old-fashioned three point play by freshman Rex Hollis put the Wildcats on top 28-22 with 6:56 to go in the first, and that would turn out to be the last points they would score the rest of half.

The Wildcats went 0-for-13 from the floor over the final seven minutes of play in the first half. Thanks to solid defense though, the Lobos were only able to capitalize and score nine points, but it was good enough to take a 31-28 lead into the break. LC shot 37.1% in the first half, but were shooting better than 59% before the cold streak during the final seven minutes.

The Wildcats field goal drought would finally come to an end at the 16:52 mark of the second half on a fastbreak layup from freshman Lashard Powell after picking the pocket of the Lobos player. The teams traded baskets on the next four trips down the floor and LC trailed 41-37 with15:24 left in the game. Still hanging close, Trey Ames was able to get a turn around layup to fall to cut the lead down to three at the 12 minute mark, but the Lobos answered right away with a three-ball on the other end to give themselves breathing room again.

Each time the Wildcats scored over the next two minutes, Sul Ross answered with a shot from distance breaking any momentum that LC was trying to gain on the offensive side of the floor. Sul Ross's 54-45 lead at the 9:36 mark grew to 15 over the next two and a half minutes, which was too much for the Wildcats to come back from on Thursday night.

Sophomore Taylan Grogan led the team in scoring for the second time this week with 15 in the game. Devon Washington and Lashard Powell each finished in double figures with 14 a piece, Washington just missing his second straight double-double with nine rebounds in the game.

The Wildcats return to the floor at Rapides Coliseum on Saturday afternoon as they host Howard Payne University. Tip-off is scheduled for 4pm following the completion of the women's game. Stay connected to Louisiana College men's basketball all season by following @LC_MBSK on Twitter. For general athletics news follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Wildcats on Facebook.

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