PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Christian University men's basketball program earned a much-needed win on Thursday evening, taking a 37-all tie at the break and transforming it into a 22-point lead at its highest peak before 13 unanswered by Paul Quinn rally at the end of the ballgame made the final score look closer than it was at 74-65 in favor of the Cats.
 
The victory gave Coach Mason and the team its first ever victory over the visitors from Dallas, having gone 0-for-3 before Thursday's meeting on "The Hill".
 
The Basics: 
 

• Score
  • Louisiana Christian – 74
  • Paul Quinn – 65

  

• Records
  • Louisiana Christian (3-5, 1-2 Red River)
  • Paul Quinn (1-6, 1-3 Red River)

 

• Location
  • Pineville, Louisiana – H.O. West Fieldhouse

  

• Series History (Since 2007-08)
  • Paul Quinn Leads 3-1 (25%)

  

• Winning Streak (Since 2007-08)
  • Louisiana Christian (W1) | Paul Quinn's Last Win: February 16, 2023 (87-77)

 
Wildcats Top Performers: 
 

• Frederick Shields III, seeing his first action as a Wildcat after transferring in from Mary Hardin-Baylor, was impressive in his debut, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal while logging a contest-most 32 minutes to go along with a 6-for-9 (66.7%) shooting spree.

 

• Konnor DeJean was a difference maker in off-ball situations, netting career/game-highs for both steals (5) and assists (4).

 

• Leading all scorers on either side was Jon'Quarius McGhee, holding the hot hand by converting 6-of-7 (85.7%) of his buckets, including his lone three, despite seeing just 17 minutes of court time.

 

• Tre Pullins has really started to find his comfort zone as a freshman, topping the team regarding rebounds (9) and blocks (3) in addition to seven points.

 

• D'Marcus Fugett tied his career mark in the rebounding category for the fourth time this year, going for seven yet again on top of 11 points.

 

• In conclusion, Charles Jones collected a campaign-best five balls off the glass, Jude Akabueze provided six points with two of those coming on rim-rattling slams, and Gary Smith swiped multiple steals for the second time plus a seven-point tally in the stat sheet.

 
Notes:
 

• LCU blocked a season-high five shots and shot well from the field (46.8%) despite a low three-point conversion percentage (25%).

 
Next:
  

• The Orange and Blue will attempt to begin a winning streak Saturday afternoon opposite the Mustangs from the University of the Southwest with a 4 p.m. tipoff scheduled.

 
Follow the men's basketball program on Twitter/X (@LCU_MBSK) and Instagram (@LCU.MBB).

Follow the Wildcats on Facebook (@LCUAthletics), Twitter/X (@LCU_Wildcats) and Instagram (@LCU_Wildcats).