Wildcats Travel to Tyler/Ozarks

1/10/2018 2:29:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Despite a steady improvement in the play of the team over the last two weeks, the Louisiana College men's basketball team is still in search of their first American Southwest Conference win of the season. The Wildcats dropped both contests last week in their final ASC West crossover weekend at Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia. LC continues a road stretch this weekend as they begin play in their own division with the University of Texas at Tyler on Thursday evening and the University of the Ozarks on Saturday.

UT Tyler 10-4 (3-4) | 4th ASC East

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Like the Wildcats, UTT split their final ASC West weekend, falling to Sul Ross but taking the 83-70 win over Howard Payne. They began the season with six straight wins before dropping two straight ASC games to Hardin-Simmons and McMurry. Their 10 wins this season have come in large part thanks to the stellar shooting performance they have turned in thus far. The Patriots have the fourth highest scoring offense in the league at 88.9 points per game this year and are making just over half of the attempted field goals this year. A 50.9 field goal percentage is the best in the ASC, coupled with the best three-point shooting mark in the league as well at 40.5 percent. The 6-foot-8 Emeka Obukwelu has been a huge part of the Patriots success, averaging 19.1 points per game, on 75.5 percent shooting, along with an 8.5 rebound per game average, ranking in the top five in the conference in both categories. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening at the Herrington Patriot Center in Tyler, Texas.

Ozarks 3-10 (1-5) | T-5th ASC East

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Ozarks enter the weekend on a six game losing streak that dates back to a 69-64 win at McMurry on December 5, their only conference win thus far, and includes losses to Sul Ross and Howard Payne last week. Senior Dylan Gray and freshman Zach Bobo have provided the bulk of the Eagle offense this season, both averaging more than 12.0 points per game, Gray also tops the team with 7.2 rebounds per game. The Eagles are last in the ASC in points per game at 70.8 while surrendering 82.5 to their opponents. The have a 42.8 field goal percentage, are shooting 66.4 percent from the line, and 31.6 from behind the arc on the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Mabee Gymnasium in Clarksville, Arkansas.

Louisiana College 2-9 (0-6) | 7th ASC East

The Wildcats have played better over the last few games but are still in search of their first ASC win of the season. LC held leads in the second half of both games last week against Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia but were unable to close out the game against the Cru or keep the pace against the Tornado. The Wildcats have continued to rely on their defensive prowess to keep them in games, with the third lowest opponent scoring average in the conference at 78.3 points per game. Devon Washington continues to impress around the basket for the Wildcats, putting forward two, 20 point performances last week, including a 26 point, 16 rebound effort against Mary Hardin-Baylor. He leads the team with 16.2 points per game, followed by Taylan Grogan at 14.4 and Lashard Powell at 12.1 per contest.

The Wildcats play their first ASC East road contests of the season the season this week before returning to H.O. West Fieldhouse for the first conference games of the year on campus. Thursday's game against rival East Texas Baptist will serve as the annual Fill the Fieldhouse night with the men's game beginning after the women at approximately 7:30 p.m. 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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