Wildcats in Must-Win Territory

2/4/2018 1:13:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information - Brad Welborn

The Louisiana College men's basketball took another hit to their postseason hopes last Thursday in the loss to UT Dallas. Although the hill is steep that lay ahead of them, 4.5 games behind UT Tyler for the final spot with five games to go, the chance does still exist for the Wildcats to make a push for the tournament, but it will have to begin on Monday night with a win over Belhaven University.

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Belhaven 4-16 (2-11) | T-5th ASC East

The Blazers have lost six of their last seven games of the season, the only win a 105-77 non-conference victory over Pensacola Christian College last Tuesday. In their last outing, Saturday against UT Dallas, the Blazers lost 98-78 to the Comets. In the previous matchup with the Wildcats it was a 30.4 percent shooting performance that hurt the Blazers in the 70-65 loss to LC. In that game, BU's top scorer on teh season, Isiah Brown, who now has a 14.1 point per game average scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. The Blazers dynamic offense is averaging 83.1 points per game but they are surrendering an average of 97.2 points per game to their opponents this season with multiple teams reaching the century mark. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, LA.

Louisiana College 4-14 (2-11) | T-5th ASC East

Despite a dominant performance from Wildcats big man Devon Washington, the Wildcats could not keep pace with UT Dallas on Thursday, suffering their second straight loss to the Comets, putting them in a precarious position in terms of tournament potential. The Wildcats will need to win all five of their remaining games if they have hopes of making a return to the ASC tournament at the end of February. The Wildcats are averaging 72.9 points per game, putting them near the bottom of the conference in offensive output, but sit in third overall in scoring defense, holding opponents to 79.1 points per game. As a team LC has a 45.9 field goal percentage and are making 70.2 percent of their free throws. That number took a hit following Thursday's unusual 8-for-17 performance against Dallas. Devon Washington continues to show his prowess around the basket, scoring a season-high 27 points against the ASC's best defense, giving him a 16.4 point per game average to go along with 8.5 rebounds per game. Freshman Lashard Powell continues to impress as well, scoring double figures in 10 straight games now and averaging 13.6 point per game.

The Wildcats host Belhaven on Monday night at Rapides Coliseum before taking on the top two teams in the ASC East on Thursday and Saturday at H.O. West Fieldhouse. LeTourneau comes in on Thursday night for the annual Fill the Fieldhouse game, and East Texas Baptist makes the trip to Pineville on Saturday afternoon. 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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