PINEVILLE – Louisiana Christian University's women's basketball team officially opened its 2022-23 season Tuesday with a 63-50 win at home over Centenary College.
 
Double-doubles from Miya McKinney (Ville Platte, La./LSU–Eunice) and Claire Borot (Le Robert, Martinique/University of Mary) led the Wildcats to victory. McKinney scored 21 points and pulled in 10 rebounds, while Borot added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The game was ended early with 6:19 remaining in the fourth quarter due to issues of humidity and moisture on the court. As it was a non-conference game between teams with different affiliations, Centenary, an NCAA Division III program, opted to call the game early after multiple stoppages of play with the Wildcats leading by 13.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Centenary took control of the first few minutes of the contest with 3-point baskets in its first two possessions. The Ladies led 8-5 with 6:34 remaining in the first quarter before LCU roared back with 11 unanswered points. 
 
The Wildcats stretched their lead to 21-12 when DaKayla Howard (Monroe, La./Neville HS) tossed in a long 3-pointer from more than 35 feet away as the first quarter expired. Howard knocked down two 3-pointers in the opening period and scored eight points Tuesday.
 
LCU pulled away for good between the 5:04 and 2:00 marks of the second quarter with 12 unanswered points that stretched the Wildcats' lead to 46-21; the 'Cats took a 48-29 lead into halftime.
 
The home team's big lead proved to be enough of a cushion to withstand Centenary's comeback attempt in the third quarter as the Ladies cut LCU's lead to 59-48 by the end of the period.
 

KEY POINTS

 
NEXT GAME
The Wildcats return to action Saturday, Dec. 12, when they travel to Hattiesburg, Miss. to face William Carey. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.