Ryan Prosperie

Wildcats End Season in Dramatic Fashion

2/17/2018 10:36:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

Box Score

For the second time in as many games this season, the Louisiana College men's basketball team took the University of Texas at Tyler to overtime before a victor was decided. Timothy Stokes' layup with three seconds left sent the game to extra time but, once gain, it would be UT Tyler that would take the win, an 89-85 final to end the Wildcats season on Saturday night. The LC men finish the season with an overall record of 6-17 and a 4-14 mark in American Southwest Conference play.

The team's played even basketball through the first several minutes of the game until the Patriots found the momentum on their side with a 17-0 run that took the lead from the Wildcats and put UTT up by two touchdowns at 21-7 with 7:45 left in the first half. Down by 12 a few minutes later, the Wildcats would put together a big run of their own to finish the half strong. The final 5:44 of the half belonged to LC as the Wildcats scored 11 straight, capped with a big 3-pointer and a free throw 40 seconds later from Jaquez Coleman to get them within a single point. Tyler ended the half with a long ball of their own to take the 30-26 lead into the break, but LC had the momentum at the break.

The majority of the second half played out just as the first few minutes of the game did as both teams battled back and forth with neither once holding more than a three point advantage. It wasn't until late in the half that UTT began to put some distance between themselves and the Wildcats. The Patriots held a 68-58 lead with 2:27 left in the game.

Tyler missed four of their eight free throw attempts in the final two minutes, leaving the door open for the Wildcats. Freshman phenom Lashard Powell busted the door down with 12 straight points for the Cats as they erased the 10-point deficit. Wildcat point guard Timothy Stokes held the ball for with the final shot as time ticked down on the clock. As he wrapped around a screen from Travis Schultz, the land opened wide for the easy game-tying layup with three seconds left, sending the game to overtime.

With Devon Washington fouling out late in the second half, and D'Aaron Davis picking up his fifth a minute into the overtime period, the Wildcats were forced to play a smaller lineup than they are accustom to playing. UTT took advantage of the size difference early and took an 81-75 lead with 2:44 left. Patriot big Emeka Obukwelu picked up his fifth foul just second later, evening the playing field the rest of the way. The Wildcats responded. Stokes made a pair of free throws after drawing a foul to get back within two, and Travis Schultz tied the game 20 seconds later with two of his own from the charity stripe.

With just three seconds left on the shot clock following Schultz's shots, the ball found its way to Tyler's Davis Moore who knocked down a 3-pointer from the right win with 17 seconds left in the game putting the visitors up 86-83. The Wildcats could not find the key shot on their next two possessions and Tyler make 3-of-4 free throws to seal the game in their favor.

Freshman Lashard Powell led the Wildcats in scoring for the sixth time this season with 23 points. Devon Washington turned in his ninth double-double of the season with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Both Timothy Stokes and Taylan Grogan had 11 points off the bench for the Wildcats with Stokes adding five rebounds and six assists to his line.

With just one senior on this year's team, the Wildcats will return all five starters for the 2018-19 season. Stay connected to Louisiana College men's basketball during the offseason by following @LC_MBSK on Twitter. For general athletics new follow @LC_Wildcats on Twitter or like Louisiana College Wildcats on Facebook.

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