PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana College men's basketball team faced an 11-point deficit as its regular season-opening contest against Centenary wound down, but the Wildcats rallied, finishing the final five minutes on a 20-4 run, also scoring the game's final 13 points, to overcome the Gents 71-66 Tuesday night at H.O. West Fieldhouse.

Denzel Austin got the run started as he took in a pass from Kae'ron Baker and drained a three-pointer with just less than five minutes left. Another Austin three with just more than three minutes left started the last big push as the Wildcat defense kept the Gents scoreless over the final 3:15 of the contest to allow the comeback.

Kae'ron Baker led the Wildcats with his first double-double of the season, 23 points and 12 rebounds. He caused foul after foul, getting to the free throw line 20 times, where he hit 14 of his attempts at the charity stripe.

Denzel Austin finished with 16 points, with four of his five made baskets coming from beyond the three-point arc.

Jaylen Rhone and K.D. Wallace each finished with ten points.

Louisiana College finished the game hitting 35.2% from the field in the contest but took great advantage of the charity stripe where the Wildcats were 25 of 33 while Centenary was just three of seven at the free throw line.
The Wildcats (1-0) return to action on Tuesday, November 19^th in an exhibition game at Northwestern State. Tip-off against the Demons is set for 6:30 P.M. at Prather Coliseum.