Men Face Tough Weekend Test

1/17/2018 3:42:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

The Louisiana College men's basketball team picked up their first American Southwest Conference win of the season last week over the University of the Ozarks. This week their originally scheduled home games against East Texas Baptist University and LeTourneau University have been moved to Texas due to ongoing maintenance at H.O. West Fieldhouse. ETBU and LETU are currently tied atop the ASC East standing entering the weekend set of games.

East Texas Baptist 12-3 (6-2) | 1st ASC East

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ETBU is coming off a 96-93 win on Monday night over LeTourneau to move into the top spot in the ASC East Division. Overall the Tigers have won nine of their last 10 games, the loss coming to UT Dallas las Thursday. The Tigers have one of the best offenses in the conference, averaging 89.3 points per game, fourth best in the conference. They have the sixth best field goal shooting percentage in the ASC, but lead the conference in shooting from beyond the arc at 41.4 percent. Five players are averaging double digit points per game for ETBU, giving them plenty of option on the offensive end of the floor. Sophomore Robby Dooley leads the team with 17.5 points per game and is second in rebounding at 6.2 per game. He is currently sixth in the ASC in scoring on the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Ornelas Gymnasium in Marshall, Texas.

LeTourneau 12-3 (6-2) | 2nd ASC East

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After four straight conference wins, the Yellow Jackets suffered a 3-point loss at the hands of ETBU on Monday night in Longview. The loss to the Tigers essentially puts them in second place in the East with ETBU currently holding the same record and the tiebreaker. Sophomore guard Nate West is having a special season thus far for the Jackets, leading the team in points per game with 17.8 and assists with 4.6 per game. Four other players a averaging more than 12.0 points per game for LETU in the conference's second best scoring offense. The Jackets are one of three teams averaging more than 90.0 points per game at 91.0. No surprisingly they rank in the top three in all shooting categories, free throw (.740), field goal (.481), and 3-point (.366). Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Solheim Arena in Longview, Texas.

Louisiana College 3-10 (1-7) | 6th ASC East

The Wildcats got their first ASC win over Ozarks last week and now face off with the top two teams in the East Division. Originally scheduled to be home games, the Wildcats will now travel to Texas this week, trading home games for the February contests. The Wildcats led throughout the day in the win over the Eagles, converting on important free throws down the stretch to complete the victory. Although LC is only averaging 73.8 points per game on offense, they are holding their opponent to the ASC's third lowest total at 78.7, relying on their stingy defense. The Wildcats are second in the conference in steals with 9.2 per game. The Wildcats have three players with a double digit scoring average led by junior big man Devon Washington at 15.5 per game. He also leads the team with 8.8 rebounds per game. Guards Taylan Grogan and Lashard Powell are both over 12.5 per game for the Wildcats. Junior forward Travis Schultz had his best two game stretch of the season last week scoring 40 points between the two games, adding another shooting presence from anywhere on the floor.

With the change to road contests this week, the Wildcats are currently engaged in an 10 game road stretch that will take them through the end of January. They will end the season with six straight home games as they try and work their way into a playoff position. The Wildcats travel to Belhaven next Monday then head to UT Dallas next Saturday for their first meetings with both teams. Stay connected to Louisiana College men's basketball 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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